Did you know that The MONARCH TRAIN is an acronym? It stands for The Mission of Nicholas and Ayden: Reaching Children’s Hearts Through Reading, Art, Imagination, & Nature. Our mission is to advance literacy in North Idaho.
A LETTER FROM OUR FOUNDER
I was raised by a loving single mother who worked tirelessly to provide for my sister and me, giving us the best life she could despite limited time and resources. So, when I started kindergarten, I quickly realized I wasn’t prepared to read. I was behind my classmates, and it wasn’t until third grade, with the help of school interventions, that I finally caught up.
That early struggle shaped me. It’s why I care so deeply about early childhood literacy, because I know firsthand what it means to fall behind. Literacy isn’t just about reading books. It’s about opening doors, creating confidence, and laying the foundation for lifelong success. Children who are introduced to books early are not only more likely to succeed in school, but they’re also more likely to thrive in life.
But The MONARCH TRAIN was born from more than just my personal experience with reading.
Just weeks after my seventeenth birthday, I fell in love with an incredible person named Nicholas Struckman. Nick was kind, creative, and full of promise. We shared two unforgettable years together before his life was tragically cut short at the age of nineteen. After losing him, I made a quiet but powerful promise: his life would not be forgotten.
Nick and I believed deeply in the transformative power of music, reading, and writing. These tools shaped us and gave us escape, healing, and support. For me, writing was how I processed emotions I didn’t understand. Music was where I felt seen. These simple, powerful tools quite literally saved me.
This is why The MONARCH TRAIN exists: to bring literacy and creative enrichment programs to children in North Idaho, especially those who need them most. We believe every child deserves a safe, inspiring space to explore, imagine, and grow. We believe change begins with a book, a song, or a journal.
If our mission speaks to you, we hope you’ll join us. Your support helps us reach more children with meaningful, life-shaping resources. Every donation, whether personal, from your business, or as part of a fundraiser, makes a difference.
You can donate online, via PayPal, or through our Facebook page. Checks or money orders can be mailed to:
The MONARCH TRAIN
PO BOX 1345
Hayden, ID 83835
We’d also love for you to follow us on Facebook and Instagram. You can reach us directly at contact@themonarchtrain.com or by phone at (509) 731-3698.
To learn more about our board or our namesakes, Nicholas and Ayden, please visit our website.
Thank you for believing in the power of early childhood literacy and creative expression. We hope you’ll hop on board The MONARCH TRAIN.
With Gratitude,
Melody Alderman
Founder and President
The MONARCH TRAIN 