Virtual Cool Down for Warmth raises $275,000 to help families in need

Dollar Energy Fund raised more than $275,000 during its 7th annual Cool Down for Warmth campaign on January 28, all with the help of local business leaders, sponsors, utility partners and many generous community individuals. The amount raised will provide assistance for approximately 765 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. The event typically includes the construction of a large ice house in Market Square that is open to the public, but Dollar Energy Fund had to change plans due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  This year, Mastro Gourmet Quality Ice built an ice news studio and other ice sculptures in Gateway Center to be showcased during PTL’s live broadcast.

Over the course of the week, many supporters signed up on CrowdRise to raise funds and awareness for the thousands of families in our region without heat-related utility service. Many individuals and teams achieved their fundraising goals, including DLC’s Subzero Heroes, FirstEnergy, AEC Group, Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Public Utility Law Section, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, and Peoples. Dollar Energy Fund’s Board of Directors also exceeded its fundraising goal with the help of members, Kyle O’Connor and Michael McGrath. 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.

Dollar Energy Fund is grateful for the overwhelming support of our generous utility partners and sponsors, including Dynegy, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, Duquesne Light Company, FirstEnergy, Peoples, BNY Mellon, Citizens Bank, EQT, First Commonwealth Bank, and UPMC.

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 11.

Click here to view more photos from the event.