MVI Annual Dinner & Community Awards

Aerial view of a cityscape with a river, bridge, residential and commercial buildings, and green trees under a blue sky with some clouds, promoting Mon Valley Initiative's Annual Dinner & Community Awards with logos of BNY, Disaster Restoration Services, and PNC Bank at the bottom.

Join us for this year’s ceremony!

October 15, 2026 at 6 P.M., McKeesport Palisades Event Center

Purchase Tickets

Each year, Mon Valley Initiative celebrates the region’s progress while honoring the partners and community leaders that made it possible at our Annual Dinner & Community Awards Ceremony. This year’s event will be held on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 6:00 P.M. at the McKeesport Palisades Event Center.

Awards presented at the ceremony will include:

  • H.J. Heinz Award for Community Service, awarded to an individual that has worked diligently to promote and further the resurgence of the Mon Valley region.

    • Carla Frost, 2026 Heinz Awardee

  • Regional Partnership Award, awarded to an individual/organization that has made a commitment to working with MVI on a program, project, or issue.

    • Heritage Community Initiatives, 2026 Regional Partnership Awardee

  • Community Partner of the Year Awards, awarded by fellow community members for outstanding community service. The 2026 awardees include:

    • Braddock Youth Project, Braddock

    • Germaine Patterson, Clairton

    • Steven Williams, East Pittsburgh

    • Swissvale Area Gardening Enthusiasts (SAGE), Swissvale

  • Tickets are $55 which includes hors d’oeuvres and a buffet-style dinner. A full table includes eight seats.

    A cash bar will also be available for the duration of the evening.

  • The ceremony will be held at the McKeesport Palisades Event Center at 501 Water St, McKeesport, PA 15132. There are two parking lots surrounding the venue and one on the other side of Lysle Blvd.

    To view the venue and surrounding parking lots prior to the event on Google Maps, click here.

  • Awardees receive a free ticket for themselves and a guest. Additional tickets can be purchased at the link above.

    For any questions, contact Grant Cole, MVI Communications & External Relations Manager, at gcole@monvalleyinitiative.com.

  • Organizations that have sponsored the event receive free tickets. To view information on each sponsorship level and number of tickets received, click here.

    For any questions regarding your sponsorship, contact Grant Cole, MVI Communications & External Relations Manager, at gcole@monvalleyinitiative.com.

  • Contact Grant Cole, MVI Communications & External Relations Manager, at gcole@monvalleyinitiative.com or fill out our contact form.