Blake Sprow, 7, and his mother, Jennifer Sprow, accompanied family friends to watch the train for the first time.
For Blake Sprow, the event was important because it brought “toys to the less fortunate,” he said.
The event gave residents a chance to donate new, unwrapped toys to the Spark of Love Toy Drive.
Firefighters at both train stops collected dozens of toys from children in their communities.
Toys donated in Burbank will remain in the city and will be distributed to the Burbank Temporary Aid Center and Family Agency of Burbank, city Fire Engineer John Freeborn said.
The need for toys has been greater this year, he said.
“This year is really bad, so we are trying to collect extra toys,” Freeborn said.
Burbank fire stations will be accepting toy donations until Dec. 24, and toys can also be donated to five CVS stores in the city, he said.
At the Burbank Metrolink station, at 201 N. Front St., those in attendance got a visit from the Wienerschnitzel wienermobile and were treated with hot chocolate and cookies.
Burbank resident Stephanie Rampacek and her 6-year-old son Matthew Rampacek joined Blake and Jennifer Sprow at the Metrolink station to watch the holiday train ride into the city.
“It’s just nice to spend time with friends and family and not think about the hard times we’re going through,” Stephanie Rampacek said.
Those in attendance at the Glendale Metrolink station, at 400 W. Cerritos Ave., were given free hot chocolate.
Friday’s event was the second for Glassell Park resident Tony Valle, who took his 4-year-old son, Steven, to watch the train roll into the city.
“He loves it,” Valle said. “It’s a great time to be with your family.”
Glendale firefighters also collected toys from residents, whose donations quickly filled up bags at the station.
