By KALIN KROHE
Panhandle Post
On Aug. 7, the BNSF Railway Foundation donated $10,000 to Alliance Pillars for the Park.
The mission of the foundation is to support and help improve quality of life for thousands of communities across the 28 states where BNSF operates, primarily across the Midwest, Southwest and Northwest regions of the United States.
"We are so excited. This is a huge donation for us," said Tami Cox Swearingen, President of Pillars for the Park. "Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad has been a part of our community for a long time. It's just awesome that they're showing how much they care about what's important to the people of Alliance."
In attendance for the check presentation was Alliance Mayor Mike Dafney, Councilman Brian Mischnick, BNSF's Jeff Stevens, Swearingen and Pillars for the Park board member Caleb Schnell.
Pillars for the Park has raised an impressive amount of money for the project.
"We have our $250,000 anonymous donor. Plus, we have another $142,000 with this BNSF donation. We have $109,000 left to raise," Swearingen said.
Swearingen called the fundraising effort an amazing journey.