COEUR d'ALENE - When guests step onto Silverwood's Steam Train No. 7, they can expect a relaxing ride through the countryside, beautiful scenery and - uh oh - train robbers.

But the bumbling bandits are always stopped by the heroic Marshal Jack, played by Chris Tortora, who winds up with the money taken from guests after a good old-fashioned, Wild West shakedown.

The "stolen" money that guests eagerly placed in the bandits' bags added up to more than $58,000 this year, but Silverwood owners Gary and Jeanne Norton pitched in an additional $42,000 to make an even $100,000 to donate to Children's Village.

It was a happy Saturday morning in the Moyer Home when Tortora (dressed as Marshal Jack), Silverwood communications director Mark Robitaille and Mrs. Kootenai County (Michelle Sheets) dropped in and surprised acting executive director Sheilah Dorame with the check.

"It feels remarkable," Dorame said in a choked voice. "We're elated, we're humbled, we're blessed. It brings tears to our eyes to know that there's so many people that care. The Nortons and their children, just the support that they give us, and the train people, they're on there advocating for us every day."

Everyone walked to the Miller Home to say hello to a handful of kiddos, many of whom were coloring at the kitchen table and still wearing their Halloween costumes. They crowded around Tortora as he opened a plastic purple tote filled with pink and brown cowboy hats, toy guns and other fun items. He teased the kids before placing the goodies in their little hands.

"One of our managers, he was actually helped by Children's Village," Tortora said. "It's a big responsibility on the train because you see the benefits from here every day."

Sheets placed tiaras on top of several of the little girls' heads and they pranced away, feeling doubly elegant in their new royal crowns. One little girl in an astronaut costume joyfully pulled the trigger on her new toy gun, waiting for the marshal to pretend he had been hit.

Longtime Children's Village volunteer and retired development director Tinka Schaffer also shed tears of joy as she discussed the Nortons' generosity and how grateful the nonprofit is to have their support.

"The Nortons have the most tender heart for children," she said. "There's those key people in the community that you know if ever you're in crisis, or there's a child that can't get dental care because they're not on Medicare or whatever the case may be, Sheilah knows she can call the Nortons and they will help. And that goes a long way."

The donation money will help pay for services and items for the kids at Children's Village, including food, shelter, medical needs, therapy and transportation to their original schools.

Dorame, whose first job was at Silverwood, echoed Schaffer's sentiment.

"A lot of people say, 'I've heard so many sad stories from the kids,' which we do, we see it all the time," she said tearfully. "Then we see our community, and then I go, 'That's what makes me realize there's a lot more helpers in the world.' There's a lot more helpers than bad people in this world, so we're overjoyed."