Gary Kanowsky doing magic for the kids on the train.
Sara Ruth Russow
The Arizona for Children charity, along with Make a Wish, Phoenix Children’s Hospital and Arise, sponsor a train ride for children in foster care and children who are very ill. The train goes from Glendale to an area just outside Wickenburg and back. This train consisted of cars donated by the Burlington Northern. There were 15 of the old retro super deluxe passenger cars which held about 470 children on this ride. This year the ride was on October 25 with the whole train decorated for the holiday. There were healthy snacks served as well as face painters, balloon artists and a magician on board to entertain the children. The magician was Gary Kanowsky from Sun Lakes. Gary not only wowed the children with his magic, but also gave each child a trick and a diploma saying they were a “Magician’s Associate.”
The children from Arizona for Children and Arise are all children from foster homes. This gives them and the other children a wonderful outing for the day. The Arizona for Children organization also takes kids to Mercury and Suns games, as well as the symphony, the ballet and other special events. Our thanks to Gary for giving these children something to smile about and helping them have a very happy day.