VIPs gathered in the Sky Lounge at the Wyndham Grand Hotel, Downtown, Saturday to kick off “A Night of Promise” presented by Key Bank to benefit the Pittsburgh Promise.
The evening was also a celebration of the life of the late Steelers great Franco Harris, who was the founding board chair for the scholarship program. The first five Franco and Dana Harris Scholars of the Pittsburgh Promise were presented to applause.
“Franco and I have been involved with the Pittsburgh Promise and the students of the Pittsburgh public schools for many years and it is an honor they will be recognizing Franco — education was his passion,” noted his wife, Dana.
“It is a great night for the city of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Promise,” she added.
It was indeed.
Pittsburgh Promise Executive Director Saleem Ghubril announced that an astonishing $15.5 million had been raised for scholarships to help students with the cost of their education or training following high school graduation.
“Vivian and I have supported the Promise for 10 years now and think it is a fantastic asset to our region,” said event co-chair Bill Benter with his wife, Vivian.
Fellow co-chairs Carole King and Chip Burke agreed. “It is such an important organization,” said King. “We are thrilled with all the support,” added Burke.
As the CAPA Jazz Band played during the VIP reception, Mrs. Harris mingled with her son Dok and his girlfriend Dr. Suzanne Schiffman, as well as, current board chair Anne Lewis and UPMC CEO Leslie Davis before they joined the main reception in the Kings Garden Room.
“We have educated over 11,000 scholars in the last 15 years and we are so proud of the impact it has had in our community,” said Lewis.
The Alderdice High School Jazz Band entertained during the main reception.
Dinner and a program followed with a video of Key Bank President Dwayne Finney talking about supporting the Promise. It was also noted that UPMC donated $10 million earlier in the week.
The party concluded with a mini-concert by the legendary Temptations which put guests under the spell of their Motown magic.
Among the more than 900 supporters at the sold-out event were Debbie and Bill Demchak, Dr. Helene Finegold, Cathy and Rob Long, Marcia and Carlos T. Carter, Helen Hanna Casey with Steve, Cindy and Rich Engler, Latasha and Charlie Batch, Annie and Gus Engel, Wallis Katz, Marylynn Uricchio Heuck and her sister Barbara Eichenlaub, and Kim Tillotson Fleming with Curt.
Patricia Sheridan: psheridan@post-gazette.com
First Published: April 18, 2023, 9:30 a.m.
