Since the creation of Montana Rail Link's Project Sweatshirt in 2014, a total of 16,243 sweatshirts featuring school colors and mascots have been presented as a gift to students and staff throughout the state.
Last Thursday, students, and staff in Three Forks and Willow Creek received sweatshirts as part of the program runs in conjunction with the Dennis and Phyliss Washington Foundation.
According to MRL Vice President of Corporate Relations Ross Lane, 2,082 sweatshirts were handed out in 2020. Along with the two local schools, students and staff in Whitehall, Harrison, and Clinton also received sweatshirts.
Lane said MRL has a long and deep shared history within the communities in which they operate and this is a really fantastic way to be able to give back.
"We know this year has been especially tough on a lot of Montana families, so it is a real highlight to be able to see smiling faces on the kids. It is something we look forward to every year," he said. "It really means a whole lot to us, our employees, the Washington family. It really is a fantastic way to give back, see kids show school pride, and also receiving a Christmas present at the same time is fantastic."
MRL usually has an onsite safety presentation as part of Project Sweatshirt but they were unable to do so this year. Lane said instead they were able to send the schools a short video with a few highlights about rail safety.
"It's always a great reminder to mention to the kids to use extreme caution around the tracks. The railroad tracks are certainly not a place for kids to be. A train can come at any time.