To boost public awareness, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania launched the "Turn Down, Seal Off, Save Up" outreach campaign to encourage residents to turn down their thermostats and seal off drafts in order to save as much as $740 in annual heating costs.

The campaign's Web site, www.turnsealsave.org , includes tips on how to make a home more energy efficient, contact information for financial assistance, and an online toolkit featuring resources people and organizations can use to raise awareness in their communities.

Raymond McElhaney of Allegheny Energy wins the Steeler Ticket and Parking pass package as part of the United Way of Westmoreland County 's campaign incentive.  Raymond and a friend will get to enjoy watching the Steeler's tackle the Cowboys on Sunday December 7 at Heinz Field. With over 1700 folks participated in this drawing, special thanks goes to Omnova Solutions Inc. for donating this highly desired prize. 

Raymond McElhaney receives Steeler tickets and parking pass from Rex Ferguson
VP of Workplace Campaign with Employee Campaign Chair, Paul Kramer.

At 8:00 am, Helen Patricia, the winner of United Way's Shop'n Save Shopping Spree, sprinted the aisles for three minutes gathering groceries and supplies for the Welcome Home Shelter of Greensburg.  During her race through the store, she stuffed fresh produce, pasta, paper towels and more, totaling $284.54.  At the end of the spree, Helen presented the two carts of groceries to Lyndsay Stannard, case manager, of the Welcome Home Shelter of Greensburg. 

This year, United Way of Westmoreland County incorporated a new incentive in its campaign that focuses on the basic needs of food and shelter for families and the community in hard times. Thanks to Ray Charley and his family of Shop'n Save Supermarkets in Greensburg, United Way offered a three-minute shopping spree at one of their two stores, East Pittsburgh Street or Route 66.  Presenting the cart to Helen at the start, Ray said, “Today, everyone wins, as United Way, local businesses and community members work together to support agencies like Welcome Home and others.”

Helen gets a big hug from Zen Scott for her donation.

At the end of the run, Helen, catching her breath, said, “It was fun and more exercise than I thought but definitely worth the effort for the shelter.” At the presentation of full carts, Mike Charley, son of Ray Charley, announced an additional contribution, matching the value of the spree, would be made to the Shelter.

Helen Patricia has been a long-time donor to United Way and is a member of the Women’s Leadership Council. Helen works for Kennametal Inc. as a quality assurance manager and lives with her husband, Steve, in Ligonier. To highlight and help meet the needs of the community in these hard times, Helen chose to donate the groceries she gathered at the store to the Welcome Home Shelter of Greensburg, PA.

The Welcome Home Shelter (Connect, Inc.) of Greensburg, a partner agency of the United Way of Westmoreland County, provides a safe and secure environment to women and families in need and so that they receive support as they transition to a new location or life.  Currently, there is a waiting list of over 40 individuals wanting to enter the shelter.  This is a strong signal of the growing need for basic services for families in these tough times.  

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