Dollar Energy Fund raised more than $140,000 during its 8th annual Cool Down for Warmth campaign on January 27, all with the help of local business leaders, sponsors, utility partners and many generous community individuals. The amount raised will provide assistance for approximately 390 families in Western Pennsylvania who are struggling to stay warm in their homes this winter. Though the event is over, donations are still coming in! Those who wish to help local families in need may continue to donate online at www.dollarenergy.org/donate.
Dollar Energy Fund’s Cool Down for Warmth, powered by Dynegy, took place in partnership with KDKA-TV’s Pittsburgh Today Live (PTL), and provided an opportunity for the community to make a donation in support of local families. In past years, the event included the construction of a large ice house in Market Square that is open to the public, but Dollar Energy Fund switched to a virtual event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, Mastro Gourmet Quality Ice built an ice news studio and other ice sculptures in Gateway Center that were showcased during PTL’s live broadcast.
Over the course of the week, supporters signed up on Givebutter to raise funds for their neighbors in need, including FirstEnergy, Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Public Utility Law Section, and Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority. Others showed their support by making a donation and sharing the event on social media.
All donations from this event were matched dollar-for-dollar by our local utility partners and 100% will go directly to support local Western Pennsylvania families who are struggling to restore or maintain basic utility service.
On behalf of the limited-income households we will continue to assist this year, thank you to everyone who supported our event! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more updates on future fundraisers, like our Warmathon taking place on February 17.
The 8th Annual Cool Down for Warmth, powered by Dynegy and benefiting Dollar Energy Fund, will be held as a virtual event on Thursday, January 27, 2022, to raise funds and awareness for local households in need of assistance with their heat-related utility services. Community members wishing to make a donation in support of the cause can do so by calling 1-800-823-WARM between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 27, or clicking below to donate online.
Once again, ice structures by Mastro Gourmet Ice will be built and carved in Gateway Center and showcased during the 9:00 a.m. live broadcast on KDKA-TV’s Pittsburgh Today Live (PTL). Due to COVID-19 health and safety concerns, this year’s ice structure will not be open to the public.
“The Cool Down for Warmth has been Dollar Energy Fund’s way of connecting with the community and raising awareness for those in our region who struggle to maintain basic utility services during the winter months,” said Chad Quinn, Dollar Energy Fund’s CEO. “And, since many in our area are struggling to afford the costs associated with keeping their utilities on so their families can be safe and warm in their homes, we are grateful to have the opportunity to continue our outreach efforts on Pittsburgh Today Live. All are welcome to tune into the live broadcast on January 27 to see the Cool Down for Warmth ice structure, learn more about Dollar Energy Fund, and find out how they can help spread the warmth to their neighbors in need.”
All donations, whether made online or over the phone, will receive a dollar-for-dollar match from Dollar Energy Fund’s partnering utility companies, which includes Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, Duquesne Light Company, Peoples Natural Gas and West Penn Power, A FirstEnergy Company. Funds collected will go directly to support local families who are struggling to restore or maintain basic utility service.
This year’s Cool Down for Warmth event is sponsored by Dynegy, UPMC, Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania, First Commonwealth Bank, and EQT.
Pittsburgh business and community members, including teams from First Energy, PA Bar Association’s Utility Law Section, members of Dollar Energy Fund’s Board of Directors and other supporters, are utilizing an online crowdfunding platform to raise funds in support of the cause. Donations can be made in support of their efforts by visiting www.givebutter.com/cooldownforwarmth2022.
Since the first Cool Down for Warmth in 2015, $2.1 million has been raised to benefit 6,000 households in western Pennsylvania.
