The Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company (MBCR) hosted 25 local charities for its annual North Pole Express train ride on Saturday, December 15.

Massachusetts First Lady and Milton resident Diane Patrick was among the special guests that read the Polar Express story to the 600 children and family members who attended the event.

The pajama-clad kids were treated to holiday-themed characters, decorations and food along the train ride that left from South Station in Boston. The Polar Express movie was screened at South Station following the train trip.

The local charities that sent families on the Polar Express included: Boston Centers for Youth & Families, Boston Housing Authority, Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation, DorchesterBay Economic Development Corp,  Friends of the Children–Boston, Smart from the Start, South Boston Neighborhood House, The Home for Little Wanderers

Patrick was joined at the event by other notable people such as Angela Menino, Boston’s First Lady; Secretary Coleman Nee, Secretary of Veterans' Services; Jonathan Davis, Acting General Manager, MBTA; Terrence Cunningham, Wellesley Police Chief; and Hugh Kiley, General Manager, MBCR.