Two "new kids on the block" The Kansas City Southern Railway Company (KCSR) and Just Do It Now's Yes WE Can after-school program have joined together in a mutually beneficial relationship.

KCSR demonstrated its commitment to Wharton when it partnered with Just Do It Now to become a sponsor of the Yes WE Can after school program. The Kansas City Southern Charitable Fund has given a $10,000 grant, the majority of which will be used to provide sports equipment and furnish a game room for the Yes WE Can program at the Dawson Community Resource Center. KSCR Vice-President of Transportation Mark Reed visited the Dawson CRC on Friday to mark the occasion.

Just Do It Now will coordinate with KCSR Director of Public Safety, Allen Pepper, to sponsor presentations of Operation Lifesaver. Operation Lifesaver is an international, non-profit education and awareness program dedicated to ending tragic collisions, fatalities and injuries at highway-rail grade crossings and on railroad rights of way.

Operation Lifesaver started in Idaho in 1972 when the national average of collisions at highway-rail grade crossings exceeded 12,000 annually. During the campaign's first year, Idaho's crossing-related fatalities dropped by 43 percent. In 1986, the national program was incorporated as a national, non-profit, 501(c)(3) educational organization. Today, Operation Lifesaver programs are active in 49 states and the District of Columbia nationwide.

Both Operation Lifesaver and Yes WE Can are outstanding additions to our Community. Watch the Community Forum for notices of presentations of Operation Lifesaver in the near future.