12th Annual Warmathon Gives Heat to 475 Local Families

The 2020 Warmathon on NewsRadio 1020 KDKA raised more than $170,000 to benefit Dollar Energy Fund and our neighbors in need. This amount will help approximately 475 limited-income households in the Pittsburgh area afford basic utility service. The Warmathon, a live, radio-based fundraising effort broadcasted from Entercom’s studios in Greentree, took place on February 13 and 14, 2020.

Dollar Energy Fund’s partnering utility companies, which include Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, Peoples Natural Gas, Duquesne Light Company and West Penn Power, a FirstEnergy Company, provided a dollar-for-dollar match for all individual and corporate donations received during the Warmathon. More than 40 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 $30,000 in funding to match individual donations received during the two-day event. Additional corporate support was received from Jackson Lewis, Seneca Resources and Breathe PA.

Several local businesses and individuals provided items that were used to incentivize donors, including Air Pro Heating & Cooling, Dormont Appliance, Totin’s Diner, Longue Vue Club, Betsy Ann Chocolates, Carlton Restaurant, Sarris Candies, Smallman Street Deli, Oakmont Bakery, Matt Mertz Plumbing, Pittsburgh CLO, Cucina Bella, Richard Bazzy and Sewickley Spa. In addition, Brueggers Bagels, Chick-fil-A, Giant Eagle and Texas Roadhouse provided food for our Warmathon call center volunteers and staff members.

We would also like to extend a special thank you to the NewsRadio 1020 KDKA hosts Larry Richert, Marty Griffin, Lynne Hayes-Freeland, and Wendy Bell for their support and promotion of the Warmathon.

More than 140 individuals became “Neighborhood Heroes” by making a donation of $180 during the event, or pledging to donate $15/month for a year. A contribution at this level, once matched by the organization’s utility partners, is equal to the average grant amount provided by Dollar Energy Fund. These donors will be entered to win a credit on their utility accounts that will give them free service for a year.

With this year’s contributions, 10,000 local, limited-income families have benefited from the total of $3.29 million that has been raised since the first Warmathon in 2009. Thank you to every donor, volunteer, sponsor and utility partner who supported the Warmathon. With your help, we are able to help thousands of families in Pennsylvania each year.

Our less fortunate neighbors still need help. Please continue to support Dollar Energy Fund. To donate, visit www.dollarenergy.org/donate or mail a check to Box 42329, Pittsburgh, PA 15203. Customers of participating utility companies can also make a monthly donation to their neighbors in need by checking the box on their utility bill.

Click here to view more photos from the Warmathon, and follow us on social media for updates on upcoming events!