The attire was fittingly green-tie for The Ireland Funds Gala Pittsburgh on Monday.
Courtesy of Taylor Ollason/Pittsburgh Steelers
Jim Rooney, Evan S. Frazier, Chip Ganassi and Art Rooney II at The Ireland Funds Pittsburgh Gala on Monday at Acrisure Stadium.
Chip Ganassi of Chip Ganassi Racing and Evan S. Frazier, founder of The Advanced Leadership Institute, an initiative that promotes Black executive leadership in the Pittsburgh region, were honored at the 34th annual event, held on St. Patrick’s Day at Acrisure Stadium’s UPMC East Club.
The gala is part of The Ireland Funds global philanthropic network, which supports peace, culture, education and community development across the island of Ireland and among Irish communities around the world.
The Ireland Funds has raised more than $650 million dollars since its inception, according to organizers. Monday’s event raised more than $700,000, according to David Morehouse, Pittsburgh Steelers executive vice-president for strategy, who co-chaired the event with Ireland Funds national board member Jim Rooney and David Malone, CEO of Gateway Financial.
Rooney presented the Patricia R. Rooney Community Impact Award to Frazier. This award is given to a leader who has produced successful organizational initiatives in response to a significant contemporary problem.
Rooney said his mother, a professor at Robert Morris College, believed in helping people build a skill set.
“Evan embodies what my mother has done,” Rooney said. “His work is more important than ever.”
Courtesy of Taylor Ollason/Pittsburgh Steelers
Evan S. Frazier, founder of The Advanced Leadership Institute, was honored during the Ireland Funds Pittsburgh Gala on Monday at Acrisure Stadium.
Frazier said with the current state of the country that “we have a responsibility to stand up and do what is right and to do what we can to support those around us.”
“I will deeply treasure this award throughout my life,” Frazier said.
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop | TribLive
Drs. Margaret and Chenits Pettigrew, of Downtown Pittsburgh, attended The Ireland Funds Pittsburgh Gala on Monday at Acrisure Stadium.
Bill Demchak, chairman and chief executive officer of The PNC Financial Services Group, presented the Daniel M. Rooney Ambassadors Award to Ganassi. The award is presented to those who reflect Rooney’s leadership, love of Pittsburgh and contribution to the community.
In 1976, Rooney and businessman Anthony J.F. O’Reilly created The Ireland Fund. On St. Patrick’s Day in 1987, The Ireland Fund and the American Irish Foundation merged to form The Ireland Funds.
Demchak said Chip Ganassi Racing is the winningest sports franchise in Pittsburgh with 23 championships and that in times of crisis, it is Ganassi who always asks, “What can I do to help?”
“I am extremely humbled,” said Ganassi.
Ganassi, who was born in Monessen and lives in Fox Chapel, talked about how his parents gave him a solid foundation. His father taught him about business and his mother was the “original lead foot driver of the family.” She was kind and steady, he said, and is the one who took him to the drive-in for the movie “Grand Prix” when he was a young boy and inspired his love for cars.
“I am just a boy from Monessen who liked go-carts and slot cars,” he said. “Pittsburgh is a force, a foundation and a family. It is a city of re-invention and grit that is woven in the fabric of everyone who grows up in this city. When you look at all of the names of the other awardees, it is truly an honor to be mentioned among them.“
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop | TribLive
Debbie Guild (right), of Sewickley, and Frank Perryman, of Upper St. Clair, attended The Ireland Funds Pittsburgh Gala on Monday to support honoree Chip Ganassi.
Debbie Guild of Sewickley and Frank Perryman of Upper St. Clair said they’ve supported Ganassi Racing for years.
“Chip Ganassi is a pillar in this community,” Perryman said. “Everything he does, he does quietly.”
Courtesy of Taylor Ollason/Pittsburgh Steelers
Chip Ganassi of Chip Ganassi Racing was honored with the Daniel M. Rooney Ambassadors Award during The Ireland Funds Pittsburgh Gala on Monday at Acrisure Stadium on the North Shore.
“When your passion is your work, you never work a day in your life,” said Ganassi. “You have to continue to redefine the mission and keep motivated. If you are not moving forward, you are moving backward and that is so true of the racing world. Sports reflect life.”
At a VIP reception, Ganassi’s vehicle, racing trophies and the Indianapolis 500 Borg Warner Trophy were featured. There was Irish music by Jim Lamb of Guaranteed Irish and the singing of the Irish and American National Anthems.
Bagpiper Adam Valenti led guests into dinner, where the Rev. Jay Donahue of St. Oscar Romero Parish at St. Patrick Church gave the invocation before 500 guests who were served a pub salad and Shepherd’s Pie. Irish coffee cake was served for dessert. Tables were decorated with racing details from tires to black-and-white checkered flags.
KDKA’s Larry Richert was the master of ceremonies.
Courtesy of Taylor Ollason/Pittsburgh Steelers
An Irish toast given by Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II (left) during The Ireland Funds Pittsburgh Gala on Monday at Acrisure Stadium.
An Irish toast given by Pittsburgh Steelers President Art Rooney II.
There are two silent auction items that people can bid on until 5 p.m. Friday . Touchdown in Ireland is a trip for two to watch the Steelers play at Croke Park in Dublin and Chase the Checkered Flag is a trip for two to the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 with Chip Ganassi Racing.
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region’s diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of “A Daughter’s Promise.” She can be reached at [email protected].
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