Nine honored for philanthropy in Western Pa.
Share with others:
Nine people and organizations in Western Pennsylvania will be honored for their generous spirits Thursday, National Philanthropy Day.
The event, hosted by the Western Pennsylvania chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, will recognize the awardees for their efforts to give back to their communities.
In addition to benefiting a community, philanthropy also empowers individuals, Western Pennsylvania chapter President Susan Salyards said.
"I think it offers us the opportunity to reflect on what is the meaning of charitable giving and the spirit that makes such generosity possible," she said.
Construction company chairman Jack Mascaro, a major donor to institutions including the University of Pittsburgh and the National Aviary, will receive the Special Lifetime Achievement Award.
The award for Outstanding Philanthropist will go to Daniel Wukich, who, through his company, Quest Healthcare Development Inc., established an internship program for Seton Hill University students that focuses on developing life skills.
The baseball team at Bishop Canevin High School in Oakwood collected toys and spent time with families and children at the Ronald McDonald House after seeing how that organization helped the family of a fellow player. The team will be honored as Outstanding Youth.
Another Outstanding Youth award will go to students at the Emily Brittain Elementary School in the city of Butler for their "HOP for Leukemia and Lymphoma" program created to support cancer research.
BNY Mellon and Mitsubishi Electric Power Products Inc. will receive Outstanding Philanthropic Organization awards. BNY Mellon will be honored for its "Powering Potential" program that aims to support youth aging out of the foster care system. Mitsubishi Electric will be cited for its "Helping Our Partners Exceed" committee that helps young people with disabilities.
James Hamilton, a board member of the Forbes Health Foundation, will be honored with an Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser award for his 30 years of work with the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh.
The Massey Charitable Trust will receive the Outstanding Foundation award for its focus on education, human services, youth programs, health care and medical research, and arts and culture.
William P. Getty will be honored with a Special Innovation Award for his work in launching The Power of 32, a regional organization of 32 counties in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and Maryland.
More than 125 communities across the U.S. celebrate National Philanthropy Day, established in 1986 by President Ronald Reagan.
The regional chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals includes 300 members in 12 counties and West Virginia.
The awards ceremony to honor the nine will be held at the Sheraton Station Square from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday and is open to the public. More information is available at www.afpwpa.org/content/national-philanthropy-day.
First Published November 14, 2011 12:00 am
