Photo by Carol Barker Wyatt

For 33 Louisa County children and their families, the holiday season arrived by rail this week.
On Wednesday, Dec. 10, Amazon chartered a private Santa Express train experience for families facing financial hardship in Louisa County, creating an evening filled with music, meals, and moments many will remember long after the holidays have passed.

The Santa Express is a holiday-themed train excursion offered by the Virginia Scenic Railway, recently expanded to Louisa with the opening of its Central Virginia location at the historic depot on 103 Church Avenue. The one-hour experience features festive decorations, holiday music, treats, and a personal visit from Santa Claus, creating a magical atmosphere for families and children alike aboard a beautifully decorated train.

The private event gave children the chance to ride Louisa’s newest tourist attraction and receive personalized gifts in a festive, joy-filled setting. The experience was made possible through a partnership between Amazon and Louisa County Parks & Recreation.

Lisa Schooley, Community Engagement Manager for Amazon Data Centers in the Rappahannock Region, said the idea for the event came together after learning about the launch of the Santa Express in Louisa.
“We’re fairly new to the Louisa region, and every holiday season we really like to think about special ways we can give back,” Schooley said.

“When I saw the announcement that the Santa Express train and the Virginia Scenic Railway were launching here, I thought, wow, what a great alignment if we could provide this magical moment during the holiday season.”

Schooley explained that while the Santa Express sold out quickly, Amazon worked with organizers to charter a private train. “They don’t typically have a 6:30 p.m. train on Wednesdays, and the train only holds 72 people,” she said. “But we figured out a way to make it work so we could invite 33 children and their families for a private experience.”Before boarding the train, families were treated to a hosted dinner at Louisa United Methodist Church, catered by Roma Italian Restaurant, a longtime local favorite, creating a welcoming space for families to gather and celebrate together ahead of the evening’s main event.

In addition to the train experience and gifts from Santa, Amazon provided each attendee with a Santa Express Train mug, while every child received an extra stocking filled with essential items.

Leaders from local service organizations were also present for the event, including Lloyd Runnett, Executive Director of the Louisa County Resource Council, and Chris McCotter, a board member with the organization. Christina Miller from Louisa County Parks & Recreation helped coordinate volunteers who assisted throughout the evening.

Schooley said the Resource Council has been a key partner for Amazon in Louisa. “Lloyd and his wife attended, and the Resource Council has been such a great partner to us,” she said. “We’ve supported their food program efforts, but more than that, we know the incredible work they’re doing in the community. Lloyd personally knew many of the families, which made the night even more meaningful.”

The event reflects Amazon’s broader commitment to investing in the communities where it operates. The Santa Express sponsorship is part of Amazon’s larger infrastructure investment in the region and aligns with its mission to be a positive, engaged neighbor in Louisa County.

For Schooley, the most powerful moments came from watching families experience joy together. “One family member told us it was the first time she had felt true joy all year,” Schooley said. “Her son was having the best time—singing carols, laughing, just soaking it all in. That’s when you know it mattered.”

Jen Bailey

Hi! I’m Jennifer Bailey and I partner with entrepreneurs who have massive ideas that could change the world. Most marketing is meaningless. Filled with empty promises, its only job is to bring in new traffic, new leads, and new customers. But I’ve drawn a line in the sand, and I’ve learned that marketing can do so much more than reach business goals and build profit. My methods give businesses the fire and soul they need to reach the right people, set the groundwork for sustainable relationships, and offer true value to the people on both the giving and receiving ends of marketing.

Read more about me here