Save The 483 ( A Speech *PIC*

Save The 483 ( A Speech )
The original 483 fund raiser.
There was many people involved in the effort. Lots of auctions, People from all over the country donated items to sell. A lot of items were made up especially for the fund raiser. The effort was NOT a JAY thing it was NOT a ROGER thing it was a lot of people trying to help get the 483 back to running.
Does Jay deserve credit for helping get the fund raiser started?? YES he does. The fact is the fund was started with $200.00 and $100.00 of that was from Jay. The money was given to the Commission. I don't remember the exact amount but I think the total collected was around 14 to 15 thousand. He also has tried to keep the effort alive with a web site and by donating a % of sales to the commission.( Jays 483 site ) Other efforts to help the engines have been ongoing. The Friends have a couple of funds for the engines and the commission gets what ever money Jay collects and 50% of what the penny machines in each depot collect.
The new 483 fund raising effort in my opinion has nothing to do with any individuals but is a continuing effort to help get the engine back up and running. The screensaver and Greg's videos are a good start. The big difference as I see it is the money will be handled by the friends through a separate 483 fund. The original 483 fund was used for asbestos removal for the 483 and 1 other engine and work on other engines. I was told the commission no longer has a separate fund just for the 483 so the money being collected in the last couple of years has gone to a good cause helping keep the railroad alive but has not been held for the 483. The Friends have agreed to have a separate fund for the 483 and will see that the money is spent on 483.
If any of you buy something from the new effort and pay by check please make the check to the friends 483 fund. If you want to pay with a credit card call my toll free number 800-982-8679 and I will see the friends get the money for the 483 fund.
So far without being organized the Friends have been given something over $200.00 ( Thanks to Russ) to start the fund. Tomorrow I have another $300.00 I will be giving them. I hope as soon as the season is over to make and have made some additional items for the web site to have available for sale.
PLEASE lets not let this be a individual vs individual thing but just a SAVE THE 483 THING. Everybody is invited to help in any way they can.
Here is the web site that has been started for this new effort. ( Save the DRGW 483 ). The url and the hosting and the building of the site has been donated and none of the money collected will be spent on the site. The fact is the 1st $500.00 + represents 100% of the money collected. Freight and other costs have been donated.
Lets all help SAVE THE 483
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