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This year, though, the train is even more magical and special. It’s partly because of the great theme – Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory – but mostly because of the people who made this year’s train happen. Especially one new addition to the train team, a boy named Sam. Sam is an autistic person who has specific and deep passions, one of which is Willy Wonka. He knows everything about the story, the characters, the setting. He can discuss the finer points all day long. And that’s how this year’s train took shape.
So how did Sam get involved with the Swansons’ train?
A small group of us, led by Swansons’ owner and CEO, Brian Damron, come up with possible themes each year and Brian makes the final decision. This past summer, Brian was pondering themes for our 100th anniversary year when a friend and his family stopped by. The friend’s son, Sam, began to share his love of Willy Wonka. Brian, who is also the father of an autistic person, knew that not only was this a great theme but also a chance to include Sam in the creative process and let him help Swansons make the train as amazing as possible.
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Aimée Damman
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