1,155 LOCAL FAMILIES TO BE WARMED UP BY 2015 WARMATHON

Annual Radio Event Raised A Record-Breaking $404,558 For Utility Assistance

The 2015 NewsRadio 1020 KDKA Warmathon to benefit Dollar Energy Fund raised $404,558 during the two-day event, which will help 1,155 Pittsburgh-area families maintain basic utility service. The Warmathon, a live, radio-based fundraising effort broadcasted from KDKA’s Greentree studios, took place on February 12 & 13, 2015.

“The generosity of our donors is overwhelming,” said Chad Quinn, chief executive officer of Dollar Energy Fund. “With more than $400,000 raised, this is the best Warmathon we’ve had in our seven years of putting on this event.  We look forward to using the contributions made over the past two days to help our neighbors in need maintain or restore safe utility service this winter.”

With this year’s contributions, 6,550 local, limited-income families have benefited from the total of $2.25 million that has been raised since the first Warmathon in 2009.

Dollar Energy Fund’s partnering utilities, which includes Columbia Gas, Peoples Natural Gas, Duquesne Light and West Penn Power, a FirstEnergy Company, provided a dollar-for-dollar match for all individual and corporate donations received through the Warmathon.  More than 100 volunteers were on hand to answer phones and accept donation pledges.  In addition, several corporate sponsors contributed to the event’s success.

The Citizens Bank Foundation, a longtime supporter of the Warmathon, donated $50,000 in funding to match individual donations received during the two-day event.  Over the past seven years, the foundation’s combined Warmathon support of $300,000 has helped more than 1,700 families in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

“This year’s recording breaking severe winter weather has impacted Pittsburgh’s neediest families the most,” said Daniel K. Fitzpatrick, president & CEO, Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania. “Through our annual partnership with Dollar Energy Fund and KDKA Radio and the community’s generosity, we can strengthen our community by helping families avoid a painful choice: eating or heating their home.”

Additional corporate support was received from UPMC, Range Resources, Highmark, First National Bank, PA Coal Alliance, Sarris Candies, Richard Bazzy’s Shults Ford, Rivers Casino, Terry’s Plumbing and Metropolitan Windows.

Our less fortunate neighbors still need help. Please continue to support the Dollar Energy Fund. To donate, mail a check to PO Box WARM, Pittsburgh, PA 15230, or visit www.warmathon.com. Customers of participating utility companies may also make a monthly donation through their utility bill.  Visit www.dollarenergy.org/donate/check-box for more information.

Dollar Energy Fund, Inc. is a non-profit organization. All Warmathon donations are tax deductible and the funds will stay in the Pittsburgh area.

Since 1983, Dollar Energy Fund has helped more than 416,000 low-income families maintain or restore utility service through smart, efficient programs, including emergency assistance, payment counseling and weatherization. The 2015 NewsRadio 1020 KDKA Warmathon to benefit Dollar Energy Fund raised funds to support the organization’s Hardship Program, a utility assistance program that provides grants to limited-income households. Find full details about the Warmathon event at www.warmathon.com.

NEWSRADIO 1020 KDKA is owned and operated by CBS RADIO. Find KDKA at 1020 on the AM dial; on HD-3 channel of KDKA-FM; online at KDKAradio.com and through mobile devices such as the iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch and the Android.