Cool Down for Warmth raises $315,000 to help families in need

Dollar Energy Fund raised more than $315,000 during its Cool Down for Warmth event on January 23 and 24, all with the help of local business leaders, sponsors, utility partners and many generous community individuals. The amount raised will provide assistance for approximately 877 families in Western Pennsylvania who are struggling to afford safe utility service 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.crowdrise.com/CoolDownForWarmth2020.

Over the course of the two-day event, many supporters sat in Dollar Energy Fund’s giant ice house in Market Square to raise funds and awareness for the thousands of families in our region without heat-related utility service. Many individuals and teams exceeded their fundraising goals, including Morgan O’Brien from Peoples Natural Gas, Duquesne Light Company’s Subzero Heroes, FirstEnergy, Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, Dave Spigelmyer of Marcellus Shale Coalition, and Walter Bridges of Proforma. Dollar Energy Fund’s Board of Directors Team also exceeded its fundraising goal with the help of members, Paul Atencio, Kyle O’Connor, Joseph Ott, Doug Papa and Michael McGrath. Others showed their support by touring the house and participating in our Bowls for Warmth event.

Morgan O’Brien from Peoples Natural Gas and his supporters quickly surpassed his initial goal and raised a stunning $85,000! Duquesne Light’s Subzero Heroes and their CEO Steve Malnight also surpassed their goal to raise a total of approximately $39,000.

During construction of the ice house and throughout the event, hundreds of downtown Pittsburgh employees passed through Market Square to see the house, take a tour and contribute to the event. Attendees also enjoyed the Dunkin’ Selfie Wall of Ice, Citizens Bank Ice ATM, Re/Max Select Realty Open House Sign, Dormont Appliance Custom Ice Kitchen, and the Ice Garage sponsored by Jim Shorkey Auto Group. Attendees also received numerous giveaways from Dynegy, Dunkin’, Chick-fil-A, McCormick & Schmicks, Eat’n Park, Moe’s Southwest Grill, and Pitt Athletics. New this year, our sponsor Dynegy kept our volunteers and ice house attendees warm with a Warming Tent!

Many restaurants donated their time and resources to participate in the Bowls for Warmth Soup Tasting, presented by BNY Mellon. This year’s participating restaurants included The Apollo Cafe, Bluebird Kitchen, Braddock’s Rebellion, City Works, Coughlin’s Law, Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse, Harris Grill, Las Velas, McCormick & Schmick’s, The Meadows Racetrack & Casino, OTB Bicycle Cafe, Patti’s Pasticceria, Primanti Bros., Revel + Roost, Sienna on the Square, The Smiling Moose, Ten Penny, Union Standard, and Vallozzi’s. Bowls for Warmth received a great response from the community, causing the event to bring in an additional $25,000 in donations. After tasting, attendees voted for their favorite soup. The reigning champions, Revel + Roost, secured their spot once again as winner of the People’s Choice Award with their delicious Polenta-Beer Cheese Soup.

Dollar Energy Fund is grateful for the overwhelming support of our generous utility partners and sponsors, including Dynegy, UPMC, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, Duquesne Light Company, FirstEnergy, Peoples Natural Gas, BNY Mellon, Dunkin’, Citizens Bank, Brian Carothers with Re/Max Select Realty, Dormont Appliance, Jim Shorkey Auto Group, Fidelity National Title, Range Resources, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pitt Athletics, Chick-fil-A, McCormick & Schmick’s, Eat’n Park, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Mastro Gourmet Quality Ice, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 94.5 3WS, and Clark’s Studio.

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 13 and 14.

Click here to view more Cool Down for Warmth photos.