The Not-So-Little Engine that Could and Did!
CN Railway Patrol Officer Joe Martis and his team embody the ‘can do’ attitude captured in the classic Little Golden Book “The Little Engine That Could.” The story is about a little engine, considered too small to be of any help, but through sheer determination, manages to pull a heavy train over a large mountain while repeating the phrase “I think I can.”
Brandon Woyshnis - stock.adobe.com
In response to a recent increase in rail incidents in Rockford, Illinois, Joe and his team focused on ways to increase the safety for residents. “We were looking for organizations to help us spread the word about railroad safety,” stated Joe. The team began by identifying businesses located near rail crossings. A call to The Salvation Army Winnebago County’s Operation Director, Jacob Heiser initiated a partnership aimed at improving rail safety. It also sparked an idea to provide resources to help people in the community needing assistance during the Christmas season.
Thus began a beautiful partnership…
Delivery by CN Railroaders, December 2023
Rockford/Winnebago Joint Emergency Operations Center
(former Circuit City site)
Help came that first Christmas with a food drive. CN staff arrived at The Salvation Army Christmas Center with barrels of food along with pamphlets on rail safety. The pamphlets were shared with households receiving Christmas food baskets and gifts. Frequently reconnecting during Emergency Disaster Services callouts, Officer Joe and Jacob continued to look for ways to build the relationship between the two organizations. The next Christmas, the CN ‘locomotion convoy’ rolled up to The Christmas Center, and it had not only food but toys, too! The generosity has only grown each year.
CN Railroaders and The Salvation Army Winnebago County staff photographed with CN donations inside the Christmas Center, December 2023
This partnership has made a significant difference. Not only have rail incident numbers been reduced since the program started, but the community impact has been substantial. Over the past two years alone, CN has provided kids in the community a gift to open Christmas morning and has supplemented The Salvation Army Food Pantry for 4,914 individuals.
With a workforce of 24,000 employees and a commitment to providing support to additional communities in need, CN has expanded this program in 2025. Two additional regions in the US will receive cash, toy and food donations from CN railroaders. The happy ending and moral of the story are that with determination, empathy and a positive attitude, great things can be achieved.
It all began with the ‘not so little’ engine that could – and DID.
Receiving the Christmas 2023 “Doing the Most Good” Award, Patrol Officer Alex Ascolani, Patrol Officer Joseph Martis, and The Salvation Army Winnebago County Coordinator, Major Monty Wandling