About our 34th Annual Luncheon Award Recipients

Dollar Energy Fund presented one Betty Ann Simon Memorial Award and four Golden Eagle Awards at our 34th Annual Luncheon held on Friday, September 8, 2017. Joe Ott and Lynn Brennan, members of Dollar Energy Fund’s Board of Directors, both had the pleasure of announcing the winners at this year’s event. These awards are granted each year to individuals or organizations that have worked to bring Dollar Energy Fund’s mission to life. These people or groups care deeply about the limited-income community we serve and spent countless hours promoting their welfare and striving for their benefit.

2017 Betty Ann Simon Memorial Award Winner: Citizen’s Bank

The Betty Ann Simon Memorial Award, named for Dollar Energy Fund’s founder, is given each year to an individual or organization for making significant contributions to the limited-income community through advocacy, limited-income program advancements, program creation, and program funding attainment.

For their contributions to our organization and the community at-large, we were proud to present Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania with this honor. Since 2009, Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania has demonstrated their commitment to the Pittsburgh region by assisting Dollar Energy Fund in a variety of ways, including foundation grants, volunteer support, organizational guidance through representation on our Board of Directors, and promotional assets. Their direct financial support has resulted in utility assistance grants for more than 4,500 limited-income households in western Pennsylvania.

In addition to supporting Dollar Energy Fund, Citizens Bank has made countless contributions to nonprofit organizations that fight hunger, provide money management programs, and support communities in the areas of economic development, job training and neighborhood revitalization. Through financial education programs, Citizens Bank mobilizes employee volunteers who are trained to teach financial literacy to help support individuals, families and small businesses with necessary resources and tools. Additionally, their Champions in Action campaign creates opportunities for nonprofit organizations to be recognized for their community contributions, allowing them to receive media coverage, promotional assets, volunteer support and executive mentoring.

The first Hardship Program assistance grant of the 2017-2018 program year will be made in the name of Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania to commemorate their selection as the 2017 Betty Ann Simon Memorial Award winner.

2017 Golden Eagle Award Winners

The Golden Eagle Awards provide an opportunity for Dollar Energy Fund to recognize our partners and friends who soar above and beyond for Dollar Energy Fund and our limited-income clients. This year, our winners have made a significant impact for our organization and in their communities, and we were grateful to have the opportunity to recognize them.

Marty Griffin, investigative reporter for KDKA-TV and show host on NewsRadio 1020 KDKA | “Since the first Warmathon in 2009, Marty has been a champion for Dollar Energy Fund and the clients served through the organization. His passion for the organization is apparent and his on-air efforts have recruited hundreds of new donors for Dollar Energy Fund. Each year during the Warmathon, Marty goes above and beyond what is expected to provide valuable donor incentives ranging from dinners at local restaurants to lunches with prominent Pittsburghers.  As some of you may remember, Dollar Energy Fund was the recipient of funds raised through auctioning off a Sarris’ chocolate “Deflategate” football in 2015, and Marty was the architect behind turning the opportunity into something that brought $20,000 in total support to Dollar Energy Fund.”

Walter Bridges, Proforma | “Walter Bridges has been a loyal and unwavering supporter of Dollar Energy Fund over the years. Through his business, he has donated thousands of dollars in products that have been used as prizes for Dollar Energy Fund’s Golf Classic and as items in the silent auctions and ticket raffles at events each year. In addition, he has participated in the organization’s Cool Down for Warmth in both 2016 and 2017. His efforts through that fundraiser resulted in more than $8,600 for Dollar Energy Fund’s Hardship Program, which benefited more than 25 families in our region.”

Audrey Russo, Pittsburgh Technology Council | “Audrey Russo was extremely active in our 2017 Cool Down for Warmth fundraiser. Her efforts resulted in $2,500 for our Hardship Program, which was distributed to 16 families in need this past year. In addition to raising funds for our Hardship Program, Audrey connected Dollar Energy Fund with individuals and companies from Pittsburgh technology sector, opening doors for new partnerships, increasing awareness of the organization among the Pittsburgh tech community, and bringing additional fundraising teams to support Dollar Energy Fund’s cause.”

Tammy Stahl, Executive Director of the Christian Clearinghouse in Van Buren, Ohio | “Tammy Stahl is committed to serving limited-income households in Hancock County, Ohio, through her organization, which is part of our Neighbor to Neighbor Utility Assistance Program.  She has been instrumental in guiding her organization through distributing almost $433,000 in utility assistance grants to approximately 2,000 families since 2009. She goes above and beyond by making herself available to assist clients who turn to her office outside of regular work hours and on weekends when her organization is closed. Those seeking assistance tend to need help at critical moments, such as when their utility service will be terminated within weeks or days. Even when things need to happen at the last minute, Tammy has stayed after hours, worked through her lunch break, and rearranged her own appointments to help process Neighbor to Neighbor applications. In addition to the application process for utility assistance, she has compassionately counseled clients and provided them with information on additional programs to possibly resolve their issue or, at the very least, reduce their financial burden. She has so much compassion and commitment to moving those in need not just beyond the immediate solution, but on towards the long-term path of self-sufficiency.”

Do you recognize these qualities and efforts in anyone you know? Nominate them for next year! We are going to be collecting award nominations all year for our milestone 35th Annual Luncheon in 2018. Click on the nomination forms below to find out more information and nominate someone today!

Golden Eagle Award Nomination Form

Betty Ann Simon Memorial Award Nomination Form