An announcement from Holiday Express, based in Tinton Falls:

Even though Holiday Express is entering its 19th season of delivering music, food, gifts, financial support, and friendship to those in need, there are plenty of new things going on for the non-profit group. 

This season, Holiday Express has new places to visit, a new CD, and even a new logo for the organization that will travel to 51 locations and entertain 15,000 special individuals from Nov. 15 till Christmas Eve.

“The criteria for us to visit a place is simple”, says founder Tim McLoone.  “We go to locations where the residents are often forgotten." “Many have no family or friends and unfortunately there are many types of these locations in the area.” “The holidays are an extremely lonely time for the homeless, the hungry, the mentally ill, the physically disabled and those who are less fortunate.”

Also new this season is Holiday Express’ fourth CD, titled “Happy Holidays." This CD, recorded by the Holiday Express singers and musicians, all of whom are professional musicians, contains 12 tracks including both original holiday songs and covers. This is their first CD in eight years and founder Tim McLoone says it is their best. The CD will be available for purchase around Thanksgiving.

As the season gets underway Holiday Express is always looking for donations to help fill the 15,000 gift bags that they deliver to the locations they visit. This year Holiday Express is accepting the following new items: kids' toothbrushes, wash cloths, men’s tube socks, knit hats and of course monetary donations are always welcome.

While most of the Holiday Express events are private there are a limited number of opportunities for the public to witness the fun and magic of the Holiday Express Band all while raising money for the mission of the organization.  Don’t miss the following public events:

The Holiday Express Christmas Spectacular Benefit Concert on Dec. 21 at NJPAC.  Get tickets at www.njpac.org

The Holiday Express Benefit Concert presented by Citi at Count Basie on Dec. 15.  Get tickets at www.countbasietheatre.org

As always, Holiday Express will be performing at the Red Bank Town Lighting on Friday, Nov. 25.  (Free event)

For more information about Holiday Express please visit www.holidayexpress.org or call 732-544-8010.