DARLINGTON, Pa. — With the fallout of February’s Norfolk Southern train derailment reaching beyond the East Palestine village limits, the railroad said via a press release on Tuesday that it has “furthered its commitment to Western Pennsylvania and the commonwealth’s agriculture communities.”
Norfolk Southern cited community feedback when announcing large donations including over a half a million dollars to relief and recovery efforts in Darlington, Pa., and $1 million donation to The Pittsburgh Foundation — a community foundation focused on connecting donors to the critical needs of the community.
“Supporting Western Pennsylvania means listening to the people who call it home,” said Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw. “Their direct feedback helps us understand what we can do to make a long-term difference, and it’s what drove our recent contribution to The Pittsburgh Foundation, the largest community foundation serving the region. We hope this donation shows our genuine commitment to the region.”
According to the press release, The Pittsburgh Foundation will award $250,000 of this funding in 2023 and 2024 to Beaver County and Lawrence County nonprofits and, in addition, a $750,000 endowment will be established to provide long-term support to nonprofits in Beaver and Lawrence counties focused on basic human needs, health and wellness, community development, education, workforce, safety, economic development, sustainability and the environment.
Norfolk also announced it will sponsor the New Galilee Carnival and provide free admission and rides. The annual carnival began Tuesday and runs through Saturday and offers a boost to local agriculture with a $1,000 stipend to set up a produce booth and will earn an additional 5% on top of generated sales.
“We want to help keep farming traditions alive. These dedicated Pennsylvanians don’t just feed their communities. They feed our country,” said Shaw. “We’re proud to support the continued growth of Western Pennsylvania farming for generations to come.”
An additional $340,000 will be donated to Lawrence County to distribute within its communities.
Norfolk Southern has previously established a $1 million Community Relief Fund for Western Pennsylvania residents and reports the railroad’s total financial commitment in Western Pennsylvania is now “approximately $8.6 million.”
