35th Annual Luncheon Recap

On Friday, September 14, we joined our partners in celebration at the Rivers Casino for our 35th Annual Luncheon. We gathered with approximately 150 guests to honor the utility partners, employees, community organizations and leaders who worked diligently this year to bring Dollar Energy Fund’s mission to life.

The day started when more than a dozen Dollar Energy Fund employees headed to the Grand Ballroom on the second level of the casino to set up the silent auction, ticket auction, favors and awards. Guests started to arrive at registration around 11 a.m., found their tables, mingled with friends and placed bids at the auction. Clark’s Studio was on site at registration to offer complimentary professional headshots to all guests as a thank you for helping Dollar Energy Fund celebrate 35 years.

Ron Giulianelli, president of Dollar Energy Fund’s Board of Directors, began the program at noon by welcoming everyone and sharing opening remarks. Afterward, guests enjoyed a delicious buffet-style lunch that included salad, baked ziti, chicken parmesan, smoked sausage, broccoli ricotta pizza and more, along with an array of mini desserts.

After lunch, Dollar Energy Fund’s CEO, Chad Quinn, recognized our Board of Directors. Overall, we currently have 19 members serving on the Board, and each bring unique strengths and benefits in supporting Dollar Energy Fund’s mission and growth.

Dollar Energy Fund is also proud to partner with dozens of utility companies across 12 states. The program recognized utility partners that achieved milestone years of partnership with us. Peoples Natural Gas, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania and Duquesne Light Company all celebrated 35 years with Dollar Energy Fund as our founding utility partners. We also had many utility companies celebrate their second milestone with 10 years of partnership, including Appalachian Power Company, Columbia Gas of Maryland, Dominion Energy West Virginia, Mon Power, Mountaineer Gas, Potomac Ed and West Virginia American Water Company.

Katrina Metzler, Executive Director of the National Energy & Utility Affordability Coalition, joined us to share remarks about Dollar Energy Fund’s role in the coalition and our collective dedication to heightening awareness of the energy needs of low income energy consumers. Our guests were also joined by former utility representative on Dollar Energy Fund’s Board of Directors and longtime Peoples Natural Gas employee, Sadie Kroeck, as she took the stage to share special remarks. Sadie talked about Dollar Energy Fund’s founder, Betty Ann Simon, Betty’s legacy and the early days of the organization.

In lieu of a guest keynote speaker, we premiered a compilation video of our supporters. Throughout the past few months, we have received dozens of congratulatory messages from our partners. We are so thankful to have an amazing team of supporters and we thank you for the best wishes and congratulations. We couldn’t have done it without you.

At the end of the event, we closed the silent auction and announced winners of the ticket auction. Many people took home beautiful silent auction items; the proceeds for which will help the local limited-income community stay warm this winter. One of our agency partners, Housing Opportunities of Beaver County, took home a brand new laptop from our door prize, courtesy of our friends at River Point Technology.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the event, and a special thank you to our sponsors who made this all possible: Pennsylvania American Water, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, Duquesne Light Company, FirstEnergy, and Peoples Natural Gas.

To view photos from the event, click here.