Downtown visitors won’t spot the traditional ice house in Pittsburgh’s Market Square today, as they have for the past six years in January.

The annual Dollar Energy Fund’s Cool Down for Warmth will still host its 7th annual event — only virtually this year — because of the pandemic. The event raises funds and awareness for those who struggle to afford the cost of heat-related utility services.

Typically, the event includes the construction of a large ice house that is open to the public. This year, a smaller structure was constructed near One Gateway Center, Downtown and will be showcased on KDKA’s “Pittsburgh Today Live” show at 9 a.m. The structure will have three walls and a few ice sculptures which include 50 blocks of ice.

It is surrounded by fencing and will only be viewable on the KDKA show.

“Even though it is being done on a smaller scale, there are plenty of people who still need help,” said Jody Robertson, director of communications for Dollar Energy Fund. “There are people who are suffering to pay their bills.”

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop | Tribune-Review The 7th annual Dollar Energy Fund Cool Down for Warmth event will be held virtually on Jan. 28. Pittsburgh-based Maestro Ice Co. created a smaller display in Gateway Center, Downtown for viewing on Pittsburgh Today Live.  

While circumstances prevent the event from its normal format, the fund is “committed to continuing our efforts to raise awareness and funds for households in our region that are in need of utility assistance during this difficult time,” said Chad Quinn, Dollar Energy Fund’s CEO.

He said with so many facing unprecedented financial uncertainty amid covid-19, the program may be the only support for those who are struggling to afford basic, heat-related utility services.

Courtesy of Jody Robertson Employees of Pittsburgh-based Maestro Ice Co. create a scaled-down ice house for the Dollar Energy Fund’s Cool Down for Warmth event which is happening virtually this year on Jan. 28 because of the pandemic.  

All online and phone donations will receive a dollar-for-dollar match from Dollar Energy Fund’s partnering utility companies, which includes Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, Duquesne Light Co., Peoples Natural Gas and West Penn Power. Funds collected will go directly to support local families.

If you're looking to do more good this year, consider donating to @DollarEnergyFnd's #CoolDownforWarmth. Your donation will help local families in need stay warm this winter. DLC will double your impact by matching donations dollar for dollar. Donate here: https://t.co/bG3bx3ToOI

— Duquesne Light (@DuquesneLight) January 25, 2021

This year’s Cool Down for Warmth event is sponsored by Dynegy, UPMC, Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania, First Commonwealth Bank, EQT and BNY Mellon.

Since the first Cool Down for Warmth in 2015, $1.6 million has been raised to benefit 4,500 households in Western Pennsylvania.

Robertson said in the past, one in 10 people who asked for help were unemployed. Currently it is one in four, she said.

“You need heat,” Robertson said. “Any assistance is helpful.”

Robertson added they have seen an increase in need and that doesn’t reflect the full impact of covid-19. There are some protections to assist lower-income customers. The next few months, the numbers most likely will continue to climb as people are trying to pay their heating bills, she said.

“This can be a pretty overwhelming time for people,” Robertson said. “Plus, the funds are distributed on a first-come first served. So they could run dry.”

Robertson said the plan is to return to Market Square next year if that can be safely done, she said.

Donation to this year’s effort can be made by calling 1-800-823-WARM (9276) between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. or online here.

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