About our Winners – 2015 Annual Luncheon

If you remember from our last post, we had the pleasure of announcing one Betty Ann Simon Award winner, five Golden Eagle Award winners and one Star Program winner at the 2015 Annual Luncheon held Friday, Sept. 11, 2015. These awards are granted each year to individuals or organization 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. This year’s winners included:

Betty Ann Simon Memorial Award Winner: Bishop David Zubik

Bishop Zubik has worked to provide assistance for the less-fortunate through advocacy and his involvement with several local charities, including his participation in multiple Dollar Energy Fund events. He was a part of Dollar Energy Fund’s very first Warmathon in February 2009, where he was kind enough to bless our event and make a personal donation. Later, with the help of Kevin Joyce from the Carlton, Bishop Zubik started offering listeners the opportunity to donate to the Fund and, in exchange, have dinner with him and other donors. Since this feature was offered in 2010, he has helped Dollar Energy Fund raise $18,530. In addition to participating on-air with the Warmathon, Bishop Zubik also participated in the first Cool Down for Warmth and by was able to generate an additional $7,248 by sitting in a house made out of ice in January of 2015.

2015 Golden Eagle Awards

Rebecca Murtland, Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette Inc. | “She is knowledgeable about Dollar Energy, which allows her to be very helpful to those she is helping. If the applicant’s balance is too high to do an application for them, she is always helpful by suggesting other resources that may be able to help.”

Richard Bazzy, owner of Shults Ford. | “He has pledged for Warmathon since 2012. This type of a commitment from a local business leader is beneficial to Dollar Energy Fund. Last year, Richard bid on and won a chocolate Sarris football for $5,000, knowing that all proceeds would benefit Dollar Energy Fund.”

Bill Sarris, owner of Sarris Candies. | “Bill and his team capitalized on a national trend and brought the attention to Pittsburgh, where Dollar Energy Fund is headquartered. They decided to sell a deflated chocolate football to the highest bidder and named Dollar Energy Fund the sole beneficiary, then matched the bid for a total of $10,000. With a utility fund match, the football Sarris brought in $20,000 for Dollar Energy Fund’s hardship program.”

Kevin Joyce, owner of The Carlton. | “Mr. Joyce has opened up his restaurant for Warmathon-related fundraising  dinners. Through donations provided by Kevin and used as incentives for listeners to call in and donate during the Warmathon, Dollar Energy Fund has been able to raise, $47,920 before the utility partner match to help families in need.”

LaShawn Small, United Way of Knox County Ohio, Inc. | “LaShawn small has made a difference in many lives in Knox County of the last two years given her work with Dollar Energy, willingness to contact AEP directly to clarify issues and questions, in addition to the many other financial stability related services she offers in the community.  In 2015 alone, LaShawn has assisted 65 households in applying for Neighbor to Neighbor.”

2015 STAR Program Award

Sharon Self thrived during Dollar Energy Fund’s STAR Program through participating in special projects and networking events while learning more about the management side of Dollar Energy Fund.

Do you recognize these qualities and efforts in anyone you know? Remember to nominate him or her next year!