Created in 2011, the Charles C. Keller Excellence Award for Corporate Philanthropy recognizes local for-profit businesses for exemplary giving and community service.
About Charles C. Keller
Charles "Chuck" Keller, a WWII veteran and retired Lt. Colonel/Judge Advocate in the U.S. Air Force, graduated Summa Cum Laude from California State College where he received the Distinguished Service Award and an honorary Doctorate. With a Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh, he served as President of the Washington County Bar Association and held leadership roles in various legal organizations. Beyond his legal career, Chuck was a Founding Trustee and Past Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Washington County Community Foundation. In addition, he served as President of Rotary International and the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and several community organizations. He also acted as general counsel for California's Student Association and on the Board of Directors of the PA State Chamber of Commerce, showcasing a lifetime commitment to public service and leadership.
“That the Charles C. Keller Excellence Award for Corporate Philanthropy should bear my name is an honor I shall treasure. I have always felt committed to a spirit of giving, and I have been proud of the development of the WCCF as a vehicle to encourage and enable people to engage in philanthropy. That my law firm should be the first recipient of a corporate philanthropy award is a source of great satisfaction and pride. I know how extensive its community service has been through the years. My greater joy is in recognizing that a long parade of deserving businesses and professions will receive this honor and recognition in the years to come."— Charles C. Keller.
Eligibility:
All for-profit businesses with operations in Washington County.
Criteria:
- Demonstrate a company philosophy of community service, such as time-off or flexible scheduling for employees to perform community service.
- Encourage employee commitment atmultiple levels of the company.
- Donate resources including financial, personnel, facility or product.
- Orchestrate a sustained effort to address a community need.
- Promote active community participation by others.
Nomination Process:
Community members may recommend a business for consideration at any time.
Latest Award Recipient
Falconi Family of Businesses
Angelo Falconi knew two things from an early age: he would make money, and it would involve cars.
He was six years old when he and a friend started a business waxing cars. Unlike subsequent initiatives, this one didn't go well. They chose a teacher's car, and liberally applied ... axle grease. For young Angelo, it was an uncommon setback on his way to becoming become one of the most influential businessmen in Washington County.
If you're reading this, you've probably been in Angelo's world. Did
you attend a Wild Things game at the original Falconi Field? Angelo
saved the team when it was still an idea. Penguins fan? Angelo stepped
up when Mario Lemieux asked him to invest to keep the Pens in
Pittsburgh. If you were treated at Washington Hospital, visited the
Trolley Museum or the Whiskey Rebellion Festival, you've benefitted from
Angelo Falconi's philosophy: Give back to the community whenever
possible.
He was a born entrepreneur. At age 19, Falconi started a car dealership in Canonsburg, and a few years later became one of the youngest Ford dealers in Pennsylvania. If you met Angelo, the first thing he asked was 'What kind of car do you drive?" and then proceeded to sell you one.
He was visionary, creating a conglomerate of dozens of companies that included car dealerships, three personal care homes, and lots of real estate ventures.
Along the way, family members became employees, and employees became family.
Legacy? It defines him. Angelo passed away in 2015. But the pieces he set in motion are still reverberating.
"During his life, Angelo Falconi became an investor in our community and its future," said Jeff Kotula, president of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce. "Mr. Falconi brought a sense of vision, without fanfare or pretense, because it was the right thing to do and because he believed in Washington County."
His web of companies continues to thrive, led by his sister's son, Washington lawyer Ed Morascyzk. As a child, Morascyzk sat quietly as Angelo talked business and community involvement with neighbors like Pete Cameron or Joe Hardy.
Angelo's philosophy lives on in Morascyzk. "I was influenced by Angelo and friends," he said. "They taught me to be involved, be a leader in the community. We firmly believe we have a responsibility to be a good corporate citizen."
You don't have to be named Falconi to be part of the team.
"Our people are our pride- many employees have worked with us for decades," he said. "They buy into our commitment to community and the spirit of philanthropy."
The Washington County Community Foundation is pleased to present the Charles C. Keller Award for Corporate Philanthropy to the Falconi Family of Businesses. It's given to a business that supports the community, not only financially, but with staff time and local leadership, and works to address community needs.
In addition to supporting the community at many levels, the Falconi Family of businesses, under several names, has been a true friend of the WCCF, supporting the Gives Day bonus pool and dozens of Foundation initiatives.
"Good corporate citizens like Ed Morasczyk are indispensable partners in achieving our mission to enrich the quality of life in Washington County," said WCCF CEO Betsie Trew.
"Our goals are in alignment with WCCF," said Morascyzk. "We're both keeping community assets strong in our corner of the world."