Railroad workers on board for fundraiser

Locomotive Engineer Kevin Bergsrud, an 11-year Alaska Railroad (ARR) employee ran a special train dubbed the "United Way Express" through Wasilla on Wednesday. Bergsrud is 2002 United Way Chair for ARR employees, who said this is the inaugural run for the United Way Express.

"It's an opportunity for employees who work down the line to meet with and talk to the people from the United Way," Bergsrud said.

The train carried railroad officials and employees as well as representatives from United Way beneficiaries such as the Anchorage Big Brothers and Big Sisters organization and The Children's Place in Wasilla.

United Way donors may designate the local charity they want their money to benefit. The railroad matched its employee's donations dollar-for-dollar, according to Bergsrud, who said ARR employee contributions rose 20 percent from 2000 to 2001 and that the number of employees contributing rose by 25 percent that same year.

"We attribute that to making a better effort to get the message to all employees and making it easy for every employee to contribute." Bergsrud said.

The railroad and United Transportation Union Local 1626 worked together to plan for the United Way Express, according to Bergsrud and ARR spokesman Patrick Flynn.

"The union's assistance in making this happen was critical and we appreciate that," Flynn said.