Raising $$$ for Western North Carolinians
Oct 13, 2024 0:42:38 GMT
Country Joe and superwarp1 like this
Post by rockymountaineer on Oct 13, 2024 0:42:38 GMT
Lionel is headquartered in Concord, NC. And given the horrendous scenes that have been coming out of the Western North Carolina mountains surrounding Ashville... if I were CEO for a day, I'd certainly encourage the company to make a significant donation to their western neighbors in the State... or even to Samaritan's Purse who has been THE standard of excellence for a disaster relief organization being on-site EARLY, OFTEN, and CONSISTENTLY to take care of the needs of victims in western North Carolina.
In addition, I've also been tossing around the idea of a custom-run locomotive whose ENTIRE proceeds could be donated to Samaritan's Purse. The name "Appalachian & Western" has already been used by Legacy Station for some of their custom-runs, but I'm not looking for a locomotive with "Erics Trains" on it. And reservations are already closed on that offering anyway, since it was conceived long before this disaster.
However I would most DEFINITELY pony up big $$$ for a "Western Appalachian RR" named locomotive with "Samaritans Purse" and their logo as part of the design. Although folks in western North Carolina need help NOW, Samaritans Purse is in this for the long haul. So a donation by Lionel, MTH, Atlas or a dealer/club could be made any time a custom-run project like this would financially close its books.
However I would most DEFINITELY pony up big $$$ for a "Western Appalachian RR" named locomotive with "Samaritans Purse" and their logo as part of the design. Although folks in western North Carolina need help NOW, Samaritans Purse is in this for the long haul. So a donation by Lionel, MTH, Atlas or a dealer/club could be made any time a custom-run project like this would financially close its books.
I recall Atlas produced a special-run cylindrical hopper back around 2012/2013 after Superstorm Sandy ravaged the NJ coastline... and proceeds were routed to an appropriate charity. But I'm thinking something a bit bigger here... like a locomotive that could generate larger dollars for charity. Or perhaps both a locomotive as well as a piece of rolling stock with complementary designs.
The point being... ALL of the proceeds need to go DIRECTLY to those in need. This cannot be even remotely viewed as a means of "cashing in on a disaster". But rather people stepping up to help their American neighbors in need, as well as acknowledging the enormous efforts Samaritans Purse has and continues to make in these disaster-ravaged areas.
Thoughts?
