Cool Down for Warmth raises more than $140,000

With the help of local business leaders, sponsors, utility partners and many generous community individuals, Dollar Energy Fund raised more than $70,000 for its second annual Cool Down for Warmth Thursday, Jan. 28 and Friday, Jan. 29. Donations are still being accepted here.

With a match from partnering utility companies, more than $140,000 was raised for approximately 505 Pittsburgh families and individuals who will struggle to restore or maintain safe utility service this winter.

Over the course of the two day event, 40 community and business leaders sat in Dollar Energy Fund’s three-room ice house in Market Square to raise funds and awareness regarding the need of hundreds of local families.

Individuals, such as Bishop David Zubik, were charged with raising $1,000 for Dollar Energy Fund. Teams, such as First Energy, the Dollar Energy Fund Board of Directors team, Duquesne Light and more, needed to raise at least $2,500 to get out of the house and “feel the warmth.”

Many well-exceeded their goals. Morgan O’Brien, CEO of Peoples, raised almost $15,000 alone, while the Bishop tripled his original goal of $1,000. Others, such as WPXI’s Scott Harbaugh, visited the house to show their support.

During construction of the ice house and throughout the two-day event, hundreds of downtown Pittsburgh employees passed through Market Square to see the house, take a tour and contribute to the event.

The community also enjoyed the Dunkin’ Donuts and Citizens Bank’s Selfie Wall of Ice, where they could pose with props and receive free digital photos from Clark’s Studio, as well as coupons from Dunkin’ Donuts for those who donated more than $5 to the Cool Down for Warmth on-site.

Sponsors included Citizens Bank, Columbia Gas, Dollar Bank, Dunkin’ Donuts, Duquesne Light, First Energy, First National Bank, Peoples, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, ProForma, Range Resources and Taste of Pittsburgh.

Though the event is over, those who wish to help Pittsburgh families in need may continue to donate online, or support Dollar Energy Fund through its upcoming Warmathon February 11 and 12.