2014 Annual Luncheon Held on Sept. 12

Dollar Energy Fund hosted its 31st Annual Luncheon and Business Meeting on Friday, September 12, 2014, at the Rivers Casino.  Utility companies, agency partners, friends and supporters joined staff from the organization to celebrate the 2013-2014 program year.

Martin Jordanhazy, president of Dollar Energy Fund’s Board of Directors, opened the business meeting and gave the president’s report.  Board Vice President Ron Giulianelli introduced a motion to amend the organization’s membership status (motion passed) and introduced Mike Mackin and Douglas Papa as new board members.  Six members of the Board of Directors were recognized for their service at the completion of their term(s).  They were Bill Connolly, Matthew Vaughn, Pam Wigley, Angela Arrington, Brian Conner and Bobbie Reidenbach.

The keynote presentation was delivered by Pat Cavanaugh, a former University of Pittsburgh basketball walk-on and founder of The Crons brand, who motivated and encouraged attendees by speaking on setting goals and overcoming obstacles.

Each year, Dollar Energy Fund presents awards to the recipients of our 2014 Betty Ann Simon Award, which recognizes a leader who strives to assist the low income community and make the world a better place, and our Golden Eagle Awards, which are presented to representatives at our partnering community based organizations and utility companies, as well as to community members who consistently “soar above and beyond” in their efforts to help Dollar Energy Fund assist our neighbors in need. The 2014 Betty Ann Simon Award winner was Sadie Kroeck of Peoples Natural Gas.  Golden Eagle Awards were presented to Erika Butter of  Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette Inc., and Karen Shaw of Community Action Partnership for Somerset County.

Dollar Energy Fund also recognized four employees who participated in the organization’s STAR Program (Staff Training Advancement Route) over the past year. They were Laura Fuller, Pam Kerila, Scott Mages, and Ashley Perratone.

Sponsors of the 2014 Luncheon included:

• Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania
• Duquesne Light
• FirstEnergy
• Pennsylvania American Water
• Peoples (formerly Equitable)
• Peoples Natural Gas
• Peoples / TWP

Dollar Energy Fund would like to thank all who attended and supported our luncheon.  We look forward to a great 2014-2015 program year!