Dear Fellow Collectors,
We are writing with the hopes that you can make a world of difference for our Father, Jon, who along with our stepmom Gail, lost their home and everything along with it, in the recent Thomas Fire that has devastated Southern California.
Jon has been an avid Lionel train collector for 60+ years. He had hundreds of engines, passenger cars, box cars and cabooses that he had collected over that time period. We have very fond memories of his train layout, that we so often used, growing up.
Most recently, he had displayed these trains proudly all over his home on shelves and boxes anxiously anticipating moving back east to share the excitement with his grandson and future grandchildren.
Unfortunately, all the hard work and joy building his collection is now gone. We have included photos of all that is left of the great collection he once had.
All things considered, they are both safe and in good spirits, but we know inside his is devastated knowing that he will never be able to fully carry out the vision of playing trains with his grandchildren or what he would refer to as the next generation of train enthusiasts.
During this difficult time there would be nothing that would surprise him more and bring greater happiness than to open up Lionel trains when we exchange gifts back east during the Christmas holiday.
Anything you can do to help restore some of his once great collection and bring new memories to our family would be so greatly appreciated!
We thank you for your consideration and making a big difference in our father and family’s life.
-AJ and Zach Arem
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