To Tecate, México
		How the Christmas Train First Came Out of the East
		In 1996, a car accident claimed the life of Bekki Stewart; she was 36 years old. At the Thanksgiving dinner table that year, her parents Jack and Clare Stewart gave everyone $20 to make a child happy at Christmas, in memory of Bekki. Gifts were purchased and given to a needy family.

The next Thanksgiving, 1997, $20 again was given to each member of the family. This time it was decided to put the money together to buy candy canes for the children seen playing along the railroad tracks on the way from Campo, California to Tecate, México. The San Diego Railroad Museum next generously offered the use of their excursion train between Campo, California and Tecate, Baja California for delivery of the gifts; the Christmas Train was born.

At first, intention was to go in December, but we discovered that, in México, Epiphany on January 6th is a very important day. It commemorates the showing of the Christ Child to the three Wise Men who had come bearing offerings.

The date was set for the first Christmas Train on Saturday, January 10th, 1998. We also decided to take the costumed three kings with us. Because of this, in México we are known as the "3-Kings Train" and we try to arrive each year on the weekend closest to January 6.

To our surprise, when people found out about the train and its purpose, donations and volunteers came pouring into the effort. We evolved from the idea of throwing candy canes form the train (not a safe practice for the children) to packing gift bags and fresh fruit for the children of Tecate.

We never imagined that the Christmas Train Project would grow from the $20 family gift to the huge event it is today.

We are so grateful to all our volunteers and donors, both in the USA and in México. But, most of all, we are grateful to Jack and Clare Stewart, who were inspired to give to others and, thereby, inspire others to give in an ever-widening and international circle.