By TAYLOR BROWN
Management of the Authority of the Borough of Charleroi reached in their pockets to help the community during the coronavirus crisis.
A $14,500 check was presented Thursday to the Salvation Army’s Mon Valley Citadel in Monessen.
ABC has been operating with a full staff throughout the pandemic, with employees alternating shifts to minimize contact.
In March, the company announced it would not post any delinquent properties or shut off water service until at least May 31 to help customers navigate tough times.
Management at ABC wanted to do a little more.
Solicitor Todd Pappasergi said general manager Charles Cardinale and other management members came up with the idea to begin an in-house donation drive.
“The management staff of the Authority wanted to provide some assistance to those who are struggling to put food on their tables or meet daily expenses, and are therefore making a donation of $14,500 to the Mon Valley Salvation Army,” Pappasergi said.
Capt. Sue Thwaite and her team of volunteers will determine how the money is spent, but it will stay in the authority’s service area.
“We made it clear to Capt. Thwaite that the donations should go to families in the Authority’s water and sewer service areas, and she has assured us that they will be,” Cardinale said.
Earlier this month, Cardinale approached the board of directors to inform them of the plan.
“The board supported this wholeheartedly,” Pappasergi said. “This was a joint effort of the guys who know a lot of customers are struggling and took it upon themselves to help.
“While this was a decision made by individual employees, on behalf of myself and the board, we are privileged to work every day with such kind, dedicated and caring people who want to do their part in their community.”
Thwaite said the funds will be used to continue existing programing and to expand services to more communities in the Mon Valley.
“The community has been very generous in many ways,” Thwaite said. “From financial donations, food, baby diapers and formula to volunteering.
“The programs we offer are all funded by community donations and we are better together. By working together, like this, we can have a better impact in the community.”
Since March, the Salvation Army in Monessen has provided 4,413 youth food truck meals, 6,423 snacks via the food truck, 400 bags of Easter candy, 200 toys, 40 meals delivered to Monongahela Valley Hospital workers, delivered 100 meals to essential workers, given 840 Blessings in a Backpack to Ringgold North Elementary, 3,240 boxes of food to food pantry clients, provided 42 emergency boxes of food to those ordered to stay home, 19 cases of candy to area fire and police departments, 563 meals to area high rises, 1,000 family barbecue meals, 1,800 breakfasts, 1,600 military rations and awarded 15 Dollar Energy grants.