The company, a subsidiary of Alpha Natural Resource, was rewarded for working to better the local community.
Employees gave both their time and resources to help their neighbours. They helped Sherman High School in Boone County, West Virginia put up a new scoreboard for the football field and helped update classrooms for the disabled at Sherman High and Sherman Elementary schools.
Elk Run donated labour, equipment and materials to build a press box and concession stand for the football field.
The company also partnered with the community to provide more than 5700 weekend food bags to community school children, along with more than 30 travel bags containing hygiene items and 400 smile bags that included needed items of clothing.
Elk Run Coal and its employees also:
- Hosted a community Christmas party for underprivileged children
- Gave away hams for the holidays
- Participated in “read to me” days at local schools
- Bought 10 Kindle Fires for an awards ceremony at Sherman High
- Participated in judging science fairs and reading fairs
- Provided catering for Sherman Junior High’s honour society dinner.
In addition, Elk Run helped finance a project to provide city water to the community of Blue Point, near Whitesville.
Elk Run’s investment helped cover the installation of water lines from Route 3 to all Blue Point residents.
The company’s most extensive contribution and ongoing project has been to help tear down the old Sylvester Elementary School and gymnasium and turn the space into a covered community shelter.
Future plans include turning the grounds into a community park.
Elk Run employs 530 people in five deep mines, two belt mines and a preparation plant, all located in the Sylvester and Whitesville communities of Boone County.
