Mission
The Holiday Express mission is to deliver music, food, gifts, financial support and friendship to those with the greatest need for the gift of human kindness during the holiday season and throughout the year.
About Us
Founded in 1993 by Tim McLoone, Holiday Express believes no one should be alone at the holidays. Our programs use the healing power of music and friendship to improve the quality of life for those often forgotten. This season, we will again be visiting 100 organizations in the metropolitan tri-state area, hosting special charitable events and bringing hope and joy to nearly 30,000 people. Of the charities Holiday Express serves, the majority are registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. For many of them, traditional sources of funding are not sufficient to provide their basic needs.
While most of us look forward to the holidays with excitement and anticipation, for some the months of November and December are anything but joyful or peaceful. The holidays for those struggling with financial problems, health issues, and loneliness can be a time of increased sadness, and stress. This is often the case for the people Holiday Express serves, which include those with mental and physical challenges, veterans, individuals in addiction and recovery programs, the isolated, the poor, the homeless, and children with serious illnesses.
Our signature program provides an interactive holiday musical extravaganza led by a team of volunteer professional musicians, a delicious meal, fun holiday activities, and a gift bag. The well-stocked canvas duffel bag us filled with new, useful and practical items, including a warm blanket, toiletries, gloves, hat, and scarf. Over 2,500 volunteers work year-round to make a difference in the lives of adults and children in need. In most cases, ours is the only holiday program offered at the organizations we visit. Holiday Express receives no state or federal funding of any kind. All the money, food and gift bag items are donated or purchased at discounted prices.
While a majority of the charity programs take place from early November through December 24th, our staff and volunteers work year-round in our 10,000 square foot warehouse to prepare for these events and fundraising activities.
Holiday Express brings hope and joy to thousands of people each year. We are a critical link to the forgotten individuals and society, fostering the healing connection between music and people.
The 2022 Season
Holiday Express is known for delivering the gift of human kindness, and has served the most vulnerable in our community for 29 years. Yet the worldwide pandemic has presented even greater challenges for the men, women and children we serve, which is reflected in how we adapted our program to serve those who count on us each holiday season. The 2021 season was “hybrid” with a combination of live and virtual events, and the 2020 season was entirely virtual. We are truly proud of what we accomplished. We have successfully served those desperately in need and often forgotten, as we have not wavered from our commitment to deliver the gift of human kindness. Our plan for 2022 is optimistic. The 100 shelters, soup kitchens, and special needs programs who have come to depend on us to brighten the holiday season will experience the Holiday Express magic live and in person, and if not, they will experience a virtual party that will capture the spirit of a “live” Holiday Express event. Nearly 30,000 individuals will receive a customized signature Holiday Express duffle bag filled with essential items including a blanket, socks, gloves, hat, toiletries and more.