By: Steve Suroviec, President and CEO
On June 5th, Achieva held its annual “Pittsburgh Promenade” – an affair traditionally held in person for hundreds of people who come together dressed in their finest attire for an evening of fun, food, and drink. This year, like last, the promenade and silent auction event was held virtually. One might wonder how such a gala can be held virtually online. Well, it takes commitment and creativity, and it requires unwavering support from celebrity supporters of Achieva, like Brett Keisel and Elena LaQuatra, and financial supporters, like Giant Eagle, UPMC Health Plan, and Capital Group. While technically the COVID-19 restrictions had been lifted by state officials by the time the event was held, due to the many months of planning that’s required to pull off such an event, Achieva made the decision to hold the event virtually for the second year in a row. And Achieva’s generous supporters didn’t disappoint.
Thanks to the many other sponsors of the event (too many to list here), those who donated merchandise, trips, and memorabilia for the charity auction, and the hundreds of individual supporters who either bid “early and often” on the auction items or simply made cash donations, this year’s “virtual promenade” generated over $86,000 to support Achieva’s charitable mission.
A special thank you goes to Rob McDowell and the McDowell Family Fund, which put up the matching funds for the “Fund the Mission” appeal that occurred in real-time. All funds raised during this appeal went to the Blanco Family Fund for Advocacy and Family Support. This Fund is vital to Achieva because it supports the advocacy mission, which is foundational to Achieva’s existence. Advocacy is such a vital service for people with disabilities and their families, yet it is not supported by any governmental program or funding stream. That’s why the generosity of individual donors and organzations is so important.
Thanks and appreciation go out to everyone who supported Achieva’s virtual promenade last weekend and especially those who took time during their Saturday evening to join the event live. Achieva has such wonderful and generous supporters! If you missed the event and would like to make a gift to the Blanco Family Fund for Advocacy and Family Support, please click here. Thank you!
Gary Horner, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
