A LOOK BEHIND THE SCENE SAT CEO SOAK FOR ALS FUND RAISER

It’s $235,190 and counting for the ALS Association Western Pennsylvania chapter’s fifth annual ALS CEO Soak, held Thursday at the fountain at PPG Place, Downtown. That’s how much the Soak had raised so far, thanks to the 40 company executives and other members of the business community who volunteered to be soaked in return for pledges.

Brett Schoenecker, who is living with Lou Gehrig’s disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, assisted WTAE-TV news anchor Andrew Stockey with the countdown leading to the activation of the fountain, drenching with cold water those standing over its nozzles in suits, dresses and other business attire.

The money raised via pledges has surpassed the organization’s 2021 goal of $230,000, and more is expected to trickle in.

Don Belt, president of Hefren-Tillotson Inc. and honorary chairman of the ALS CEO Soak, led the fundraising charge, raising $47,830 so far.

In 2015, Mr. Belt’s friend and co-worker Neil Alexander died from ALS at the age of 49. Since then, the Soak has raised more than $555,000, helping more than 350 people and their families living with ALS in the region.

The ALS Association Western Pennsylvania chapter provides free services to people living with the incurable disease, including health care consultations, educational programs, medical equipment loans, assistive technology loans, transportation and financial support. Donations are welcome for the CEO Soak through November on the CEO Soak website, http://als.org/ceosoakpgh.

One positive from the CEO Soak, other than the money it raises, is that it came on a blistering hot day Thursday. Here, from left, Fred Abercrombie, Christopher Wick, Peter Pomager and Manuel Laura cool off in the fountain.

Richard Boyer, left, president of Exchange Underwriters, John Montgomery, center, president and CEO of Community Bank, and Matthew Rozyczka from The Dietrich Foundation endure the water from the PPG Place fountain.

Mascaro Construction’s Michael Mascaro tries hard to keep his head dry during the CEO Soak. His construction helmet didn’t provide much help.

Eline de Graaf, Philips North America marketing executive, left, and Eleni Lucido, MSA Safety Inc. vice president and general manager, are engulfed by the spray.

Friends, family and co-workers of those in the fountain stay out of reach of the water as they snap photos of their drenched associates.

Don Belt’s red tie and dark suit get the opposite of a dry cleaning as he leads other business executives in the CEO Soak for ALS fundraiser Thursday at the PPG Place fountain.

Before he got deluged, Don Belt, president of financial services company HefrenTillotson, got the Top Fundraiser Award for this year’s CEO Soak for ALS.