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NORTHUMBERLAND, PA – The North Shore Railroad Company & Affiliates (NSHR) was honored to announce $19,690 was raised from this past month’s fundraiser – the first one held by the company. The fundraiser consisted of train rides out of Lewisburg, a large basket raffle, and merchandise sales. Elected officials (Senator Lynda Schlegel-Culver, Representative Michael Stender, Representative Jamie Flick, and Matt Wise of Senator Gene Yaw’s office) gathered with NSHR employees and partners to celebrate Lycoming County Hometown Heroes and Expedition Orange – two nonprofits who work to help Veterans and the recipients of the fundraising efforts of NSHR’s Inaugural Veterans Benefit Voyage. Both Veteran organizations walked away with checks in the amount of $9,845! “The fact that this is the week of Thanksgiving, and in fact that is what today really represents.” Stated Jeb Stotter, NSHR’s President & CEO, “For us, this is a day of giving thanks for this Nation’s Heroes – the Veterans who sacrificed so much for us and on our behalf.” NSHR’s Treasurer/Controller, Diana Williams, a US Army Veteran, said, “I ask you to remember one thing - if you ask yourself what is the point or the legacy of your life, I would hope that you would answer it: to live a life worthy of our Military Service members’ sacrifice.” In May, North Shore Railroad’s Military Units (LVRR 9052, the Veterans Unit and LVRR 9050, Memorial Unit) were unveiled and dedicated, in Williamsport, PA. This past month, the units were used in passenger service for the first time in the Inaugural Veterans Benefit Voyage, in Lewisburg, PA, where 100% of the ticket sales went towards this fundraiser. Today was a representation of one of the locomotives’ purposes coming to fruition, in Northumberland, PA. NSHR is thankful to everyone who supported this fundraiser. Whether it was a person buying a ticket to ride or a business donating - each one contributed to make this such a success and giving $19,690, to our Nation’s Veterans. About the (Veteran-Supporting) NonprofitsIt has been the NSHR’s goal to use the Military units to not only bring awareness and reminders of the sacrifice of the United States Military members (in the viewing of the units in regular freight service) but to also be used to raise money for nonprofit organizations that support and help Veterans. This past summer, they opened an application process to nonprofit Veteran organizations. Expedition Orange uses horse and rider to raise national awareness and bring support to Vietnam Veterans and their families suffering from Agent Orange exposure. They conduct an annual benefit ride (in a different state each year), with the purpose, to raise money for Vietnam Veterans living in state Veterans’ homes. Lycoming County Hometown Heroes, Inc. recognizes the contributions of our Veterans who have served or are serving and provides assistance to Veterans and their families in need. They provide financial assistance to Lycoming County Veterans and their families who have experienced a sudden loss of income or have an unexpected expense. Both of these organizations allocate 100% of their donations towards Veterans. Other nonprofits who support Veterans can apply for future fundraising at www.nshr.com/veteranapp. Support these Local OrganizationsThe following organizations helped the railroad prepare the passenger equipment for the train rides: Peterman Upholstery (upholstered 64 seats and arm rests in the coach), Fryes Interiors (installed new flooring and half-carpeted walls in the coach), M. Shaffer Construction (repaired leaks, sealed, and painted the roof of the coach), Orelli’s Supply, Inc. (matched NSHR’s custom red paint color and filled multiple orders), Custom Metal Coating (prepared the bases of the seats for the coach), Curry Designs (cut and applied custom lettering and logos in PRR yellow), Boyers Machine Shop (replicated custom pins needed to reinstall the seats in the coach), and Cole’s Hardware (where NSHR purchased a lot of various supplies). The following organizations donated to the basket raffle - without hesitation: Advanced Auto (Lewisburg), Brushstrokes, Bull Run Tap House, Cole's Hardware (Lewisburg), Dwellings/Retrah, Eagles Wind Coffee House, First Commonwealth Bank, GAF, Giant, Gideon's Doves, Greek Isles Salon & Spa, IV Coffee Co., Jersey Mikes (Lewisburg), Jordanna Adams Boutique, JR's Soft Pretzels, La Casa de Pizza, La Primavera Italiano Ristorante, Lake Tobias Wildlife Park, Martz Metal Arts, Martz's Gap View Hunting Preserve, McDonald's (Lewisburg), OIP (Lewisburg), On-A-Roll, PA Country Crafts, Penn's Tavern, Pizza Hut (Lewisburg), Pizza Town (Milton), Purity Candy, Shaffer Venison Farms, Silvermoon Shop & Dine, Sports Zone Toys & Comics, Stein's Flowers & Gifts, Sunbury Motors Company, Sunbury Station, Susquehanna Valley RV, Sustainably Organized Spaces, LLC, Sweet Chaos, W&L Subaru, Wehr's Beverage, and Weis Markets (Lewisburg). The Dedication/Unveiling of the UnitsThe new paint and artwork on LVRR 9052 (Veterans Unit) and LVRR 9050 (Memorial Unit) were unveiled in May. For more than two years, NSHR worked behind the scenes to prepare the locomotives for their dedication to United States Military Service Members – past, present, and fallen. It was important to NSHR to make sure these units would be a clean and respectful salute that would compel anyone who saw them to stop, reflect, pay respect, and give thanks to the men and women who selflessly laid their lives on the line in service for our country. LVRR 9052 (Veterans Unit) portrays the silhouettes of three soldiers saluting our nation’s flag as a dedication to all service members past and present. This unit honors each soldier’s loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage, as they have chosen to commit themselves to the defense of our nation. The “All Gave Some” written on the side of the unit helps us reflect and remember the brave men and women who gave so much for us to be here today - enjoying the freedoms we have. LVRR 9050 (Memorial Unit) echoes the shadows of two soldiers paying respect to their fallen comrade, now remembered with a Battlefield Cross, as a dedication to all service members who have lost their lives defending this great nation. The “Some Gave All” should make you bow your head and thank those who died - fighting for our freedom. Not all soldiers make it home, a reminder that there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. NSHR knew there were many ways the locomotives could be decorated to pay homage. However, they felt the silhouettes that each locomotive now displays, would convey the most important message they could send. So, instead of using bright colors, camouflage, or red, white, and blue, the message is depicted in the silhouettes on each unit. When you see the Veterans Unit and Memorial Unit, please take a moment to pause, pay respect, and give thanks to our Nation’s Military Members. Our respect and gratitude will never be enough for what has been so selflessly given on our behalf.
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