Free Train Rides!
Our History
In 2001, the Montgomery KOSS (Keep Our Schools Safe) Award was established by Eugene Montgomery following an incident while volunteering at an elementary school, while assisting a student with reading in the hallway, Eugene was approached by a young boy who claimed that another student, Jessica, needed help loading bullets into a gun to shoot a boy.
KOSS was Born
Shocked to learn that a ten-year-old had access to a firearm, Eugene took action, instructing the boy to fetch Jessica while he alerted the classroom teacher. When Jessica, a little girl with long red hair, arrived and confirmed she had a gun, Eugene cautiously asked her to show it. She revealed a handgun and a handful of bullets from her backpack, prompting the school’s staff to take her to the office.
This alarming experience spurred Eugene to take proactive steps to prevent children from harboring violent intentions. He discovered that none of the children in the class had ever experienced a train ride. He promised them a train ride as a reward for staying out of trouble, initially taking them one at a time, long before the formal inception of the KOSS Award.
By 2001, the KOSS Award was officially launched, providing children with train rides from Tacoma, WA, to Portland, OR, and back as a positive incentive.
donate now!
The number of children we can honor with the Montgomery KOSS Award depends on donations. Contributions from individuals and businesses allow us to reward more children each year, showing them they are cared for, seen, and encouraging good citizenship, but most of all Kids love Trains!
Montgomery KOSS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to Keep Our Schools Safe!
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ride trains
read books
explore new places
win awards!
Keep Our Schools Safe!
What does your donation fund?
Donations directly support the train rides, including Amtrak tickets, trophies, T-shirts, and books for the children, alongside minimal administrative costs. Every contribution helps us provide a memorable experience for the kids.
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Since 2001, this program has awarded over 2000 children with train rides because they were leaders in their school and at home.