Area leaders and figures encourage Southwestern Pennsylvanians to take the threat of COVID-19 seriously this holiday season.
The Allegheny Conference on Community Development and Regional Businesses launched the Proud to Protect Pittsburgh Public Service Campaign Friday – a call to Pittsburghers and nearby county residents to protect each other and the economy amid coronavirus waves.
At the heart of the campaign is a call from high profile Pittsburghers and Beaver Countians to take pride in protecting the community and tackling the recent COVID-19 spikes until vaccines can be distributed to the general public.
By promoting mask-wearing, social distancing and safe support for local businesses, the campaign organizers hope to take pride in “doing the right thing” so residents can enjoy life again. Regional employers and local social media influencers are asked to reinforce these messages, especially during this holiday season. Please visit ProudToProtectPittsburgh.com for more information.
Among the participants in the Beaver County campaign is the former WISH-FM radio operator Dan Dunlap, who lives in Baden and was selected for a voice-over video of the campaign. Dunlap also voiced Budweiser’s “Typical American” commercial during this year’s Super Bowl.
“When I was approached to be part of this project, I knew I had to be part of it,” said Dunlap. “Recently, we close members of our family tested positive for the virus and luckily we got over it. Whenever Pittsburgh focuses its collective mind on something, we get it done. We just do what we have to do. It’s in our DNA. “
The Beaver County man said our handling of the pandemic will be “another moment in history that will cement that Pittsburgh can bend but never break”.
“I send my best wishes to everyone who is facing adversity,” he said. “Either medically, mentally, or financially, and we hope that the light at the end of the tunnel will shine for all of us soon.”
The effort is funded by members of the Allegheny Conference and the local philanthropic community, including the Duquesne Light Company, Giant Eagle, the Heinz Endowments, and the University of Pittsburgh. It shows former Pittsburgh Steelers player Franco Harris and former WTAE news anchor Sally Wiggin.
“It’s game time for the people of Pittsburgh in our fight against COVID-19,” said Harris, who signed up to be the campaign spokesperson. “We need to unite and work together. This will help us protect one another, our hospitals, schools, businesses, and our entire economy, and will help us get back to enjoying our favorite places in Pittsburgh. “
Laura Karet, CEO of Giant Eagle, leader of the COVID-19 Resurgence Task Force at the Allegheny Conference and leader of the campaign along with Bryan Salesky, CEO of Argo AI, said “Proud to Protect Pittsburgh” shows the community spirit of the region.
“We look after each other like neighbors, although we don’t necessarily live next door,” Karet said in a statement. “Right now, that spirit will serve us well and help us make better times in the New Year. I am confident that Pittsburghers will take this opportunity to wear Pittsburgh’s pride on their sleeves – and on their masks – and come together to protect one another and the places that mean so much to us. ”
Entertainment writer Scott Tady contributed to this report.
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