Philanthropy award recipients announced
Thomas P. Northrop and Lucy Northrop Corwin of Observer Publishing Co.
From left are Kurt Salvatori, Craig Neal, David Khani, Stephanie Gill and Joe Fink of Consol Energy.
Dean Helfer Jr. of Channel Craft
The Washington County Community Foundation announced the recipients of the 2014 Charles C. Keller Excellence Award for Corporate Philanthropy are Consol Energy (large category), Observer Publishing Co. (medium category) and Channel Craft (small category). All three companies will be recognized for their generosity at WCCF’s annual Philanthropy Banquet Thursday at the Hilton Garden Inn at Southpointe.
Created by WCCF in 2011 to honor a founding trustee and past chairman of the board, Charles C. Keller, the award recognizes local for-profit businesses for exemplary giving and community service.
Organizations and programs that help to make Washington County a vibrant place to live and work have been energized by the dynamic support of Consol Energy, a Pittsburgh-based producer of natural gas and coal. The company is one of the largest independent natural gas exploration, development and production companies, with operations centered in the major shale formations of the Appalachian basin.
“For 150 years, Consol Energy has tried to not only produce valuable resources, but also be a vital part of the fabric of our communities. We believe it is important not only to power our communities, but empower them as well,” stated Kurt Salvatori, vice president of human resources.
In 2014 alone, more than $5 million was awarded through Consol’s charitable giving program, which was designed to reflect the interests and core values of the company. Investments are made in human services and educational organizations that focus on sustainable change and building strong, healthy communities.
Additionally, Consol strives to engage employees in all of its philanthropic activities and encourages them to take advantage of flexible scheduling opportunities in order to pursue personal volunteer activities.
The Observer Publishing Co. has been delivering reliable local news to the residents of Washington County for more than 100 years.
“To be a successful community newspaper, you need to be a part of the community,” president and publisher Thomas P. Northrop said. One way in which the company works to achieve this is by encouraging charitable giving and service.
Through the company-wide United Way pledge campaign, all Observer Publishing employees have an opportunity to give. Additionally, on company time and with company support, employees are trained to be more effective leaders through Leadership Washington County. Many staff members serve on a variety of boards, belong to numerous local service clubs and volunteer time to local charitable causes.
The paper is also unique in it does something other media, like radio and television, simply cannot – give liberally of its space. The Observer-Reporter covers the nonprofit community in many ways: running news articles on programs, fundraising efforts, and awards, as well as donating ad space. And the staff’s work on the “No Place to Call Home” and “No Longer Me” series touched many readers, helping to raise awareness about issues such as homelessness and Alzheimer’s, respectively, and raise funds for local organizations with connections to those causes.
Quality, authentic American-made toys are available for today’s children thanks to Channel Craft, a manufacturer and distributor in Charleroi that is committed to hand-crafting toys, games, and puzzles from natural materials.
An important focus of the company is the hiring, training, and promoting of individuals with challenges that might have otherwise prevented them from employment. In 1993, Channel Craft was named “Employer of the Year” by the Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities.
Additionally, the company has been involved with the Toys for Tots program for more than 20 years, both making donations of its products and helping to distribute the toys to children in the Mon Valley.
“So much of what we do is about selling toys. I thought it would be great for us to take a step back and give the toys away,” remarked Channel Craft president and founder Dean Helfer, Jr. Participation in Toys for Tots has become the company’s signature charitable activity.