Pittsburgh CEOs get soaked to raise money for ALS

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Two dozen Pittsburgh CEOs, board members and upper-level managers donned their business suits and sunglasses to stand on the PPG Place water feature, getting drenched in the nearly 90-degree heat to raise money for the ALS Association’s Western Pennsylvania Chapter.

Thursday’s event, heralded as the inaugural CEO Soak, met its fundraising goal of $50,000. It also provided some laughs for the participants as well as a crowd of onlookers.

Approximately 75 people turned out to PPG Place to watch the CEOs stand in the fountains for nearly two minutes.

“It’s sort of like a grown-up version of the Ice Bucket Challenge,” said Julia Marsili, director of development for the ALS Association.

Prior to the soak, event organizers contacted local companies and asked employees to donate money to personalized webpages in order to see their management get wet.

“My boss encouraged me to do it,” said Don Belt, chief investment officer for Hefren-Tillotson, as he dried off with a towel. “It was a great event for a wonderful cause.”

Other participants included state Sen. Jay Costa, Pittsburgh Pirates president Frank Coonelley, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership’s Jeremy Waldrup, Gateway Engineers CEO Jason Jesso and WTAE anchor Janelle Hall.

Former Pirates pitcher and current broadcaster Steve Blass emceed the event, giving a welcome speech before introducing each “soakee” as they made their way to the fountain.

Mr. Blass spoke about New York Yankees first baseman Lou Gehrig, who was diagnosed in 1939 with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the disease that now bears his name. He also mentioned the viral Ice Bucket Challenge, the global fundraising phenomenon that has raised more than $100 million.

“In the spirit of Lou Gehrig today, we spread positivity, hope and a good sense of humor in support of the hundreds of people living with ALS through Western Pennsylvania,” Mr. Blass said. “It is certainly