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These Pittsburgh region business and civic leaders are standing in support against hatred and violence in our region and everywhere.

Allegheny Conference 2018 Annual Meeting
Opening Remarks by Chairman Bill Demchak

Allegheny Conference Response to the October 27 Tragedy

On behalf of the Allegheny Conference Board of Directors, we reach out to you today with heavy hearts following Saturday’s tragedy at Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill. We are filled with sorrow and sympathy for our Jewish neighbors and everyone in southwestern Pennsylvania and beyond who has been touched by this horrific act.

The attack, which took place in a sanctuary – a place of refuge and retreat – during a time of prayer and worship, was an attack on our shared values and ideals, not just here in our region but for Pittsburghers everywhere.

Squirrel Hill represents the best of our region in so many ways – a diverse, welcoming community in the heart of the city that is the heart of our region. It will always be Mr. Rogers’ neighborhood. In that spirit of community, we will come together as we have when we have faced adversity before. In the early days of reaction and repair we have seen this already in our first responders – the “helpers,” as Mr. Rogers himself described them – who came from across our region, acting bravely, immediately and skillfully; in our citizens who are gathering throughout Pittsburgh to pray, mourn and comfort one another; and in our public and religious officials, whose leadership and compassion we will count on to bring our community together to heal and move forward as one.

The Allegheny Conference, on behalf of the region’s private sector leaders, is behind our community at this difficult time and encourages support through the Jewish Federation’s “Our Victims of Terror Fund,” which is at the center of local efforts to ensure resources are directed to the areas of greatest need.

Today, more than ever before, we need each other. We must move beyond the anger it is so natural to feel after an assault on our neighbors. We must take action to foster an even greater sense of community for everyone who calls our region home. And, we must come together, unified as one Pittsburgh, to stand against hate of all kinds and to ensure that our region – a region that was built on a variety of beliefs and cultures, welcoming peoples from around the world – celebrates diversity, embraces our differences, and is indeed for all.

Sincerely,

Bill Demchak, Chair

Stefani Pashman, Chief Executive Officer

Stefani Pashman Signature

In response to inquiries from members of the Allegheny Conference’s Regional Investors Council, below are several ways for businesses and individuals to support our community in the aftermath of the October 27 shooting tragedy:

DONATE

GATHERINGS

GIVE BLOOD

  • Vitalant: Formerly the Central Blood Blank, Vitalant is asking for help to “replenish the community blood supply.”


OFFER SYMPATHIES AND CONDOLENCES

COMMUNITY AND VICTIM RESOURCES

CORPORATE STATEMENTS

This page will be updated as we become aware of more ways to support our community. To submit ways to offer support, please email Katie DelVerne at kdelverne@alleghenyconference.org