Burke County Shows Up for Passenger Rail on Giving Tuesday
Waiting for the Train finished in 8th place among 42 worthy nonprofits serving Burke County. Donors raised $2,825 to support our efforts to restore passenger rail service to western North Carolina.
What a ride!
Thanks to the more than 23 amazing supporters (some of you wonderful people chose to remain anonymous), Waiting for the Train chugged into 8th place during 1BurkeGives 2024, raising an incredible $2,825 for our mission to bring passenger rail back to western North Carolina.
In a field of 42 worthy nonprofits serving Burke County, your generosity helped us finish in the top 10—proving that our community is truly ready to get back on track with public transportation.
Since launching in August 2023, we've been building momentum for passenger rail's return to our region.
Every dollar raised during 1BurkeGives will help us keep this movement rolling by funding essential outreach materials that spread our message up and down the proposed Asheville-Salisbury line. We're planning to invest in brochures that tell our story, t-shirts and caps that turn supporters into walking billboards for our cause, and a second branded tent that we can share with neighboring towns who are joining our railway revival.
Why does this matter?
Because bringing passenger rail back to western North Carolina isn't just about transportation—it's about transformation.
It's about protecting our beautiful mountain landscape by eliminating the need for more interstate highways. It's about creating local jobs and connecting Burke County residents (and everyone else along the line) with employment opportunities throughout the region. It's about ensuring that everyone in our community, regardless of whether they own a car, can get to doctor's appointments or visit family during the holidays.
Top-10 Leaderboard for 1BurkeGives 2024
The success of our 1BurkeGives campaign shows that Burke County residents understand this vision.
To our donors: you're not just contributing to a nonprofit; you're investing in our region's future. Whether you gave $5 or $500, you're now part of the grassroots movement that's working to restore what we lost in the 1970s—not just trains, but true public transportation options for all.
While the 5th annual 1BurkeGives is now in the history books, our journey continues.
Every brochure printed, every t-shirt worn, and every conversation started under our community tents brings us one whistle closer to hearing trains roll through Burke County once again.
Thank you for believing in this vision.
Together, we're laying the tracks for a more connected, sustainable, and accessible western North Carolina.
1BurkeGives 2024 Donors
Kelly & Seth Collings Hawkins ($25)
Leslie Kern ($100)
The Lynams ($50)
Mimi Phifer ($20)
Emily ($20)
Roger Edwards ($20)
CJ Edwards ($76)
Rebecca Phifer ($100)
Edward Phifer ($100)
Jenny H
Geoff and Kelly Messenheimer ($100)
Cathy Moore ($55)
Adair Armfield ($500)
Barbara R. Myers ($100)
Paul Vanover ($20)
Nancy Phifer ($250)
Chris Eselgroth ($35)
Susan Phifer Johnson ($500)
Pattie and Lou Arasi ($100)
Ank van der Kuil ($100)
Anneke Lynam ($250)
Jeffrey Howard ($20)
Grayson Barnette
Anonymous ($149)