33rd Annual Luncheon Recap

Last Friday, September 9, we joined our partners in celebration at The Meadows Casino for our 33^rd Annual Luncheon. We gathered with approximately 120 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 Triple Crown Suites on the Racetrack Level of the casino to set up the silent auction, ticket auction, awards and to ensure that audio and visual was working properly. Guests started to arrive at registration around 11 a.m., found their tables, mingled with friends and placed bids at the auction.

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 Caesar salad, flank steak, honey chipotle grilled salmon, and tomato basil soup, just to name a few choices.

After lunch, Chad Quinn, Dollar Energy Fund CEO, recognized utility partners that achieved milestone years of partnership with us. FirstEnergy’s West Penn Power celebrated 30 years with Dollar Energy Fund and AEP SWEPCO achieved its first milestone with 5 years of partnership.

The Vice Chairman of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission joined us to recognize Pennsylvania American Water for its 25 years of partnership. Chad shared a recent video produced by PA American Water showing how their valued partnership was the first of its kind for a water utility company.

Speaker Mark McMillion provided the keynote address. He discussed the importance of finding purpose in the workplace – something that’s particularly important to our work at Dollar Energy Fund.

After the keynote address, Beth Crow, a member of Dollar Energy Fund’s Board of Directors, began our awards presentation. First, she presented the Betty Ann Simon Award, which goes to one individual each year who has made significant contributions to the low-income community. This year, Patricia Trainer received the award and we were honored to have her daughters there to accept it. Dollar Energy Fund also granted three Golden Eagle Awards to community partners and friends who have “soared above and beyond” in their efforts to help the limited-income community this year. Stay tuned for a post dedicated to our winners.

At the end of the event, we closed the auctions and announced the 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.

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