LPG Charity Fund Assists Families With Catastrophic Expenses

(September 28, 2017) — For more than 20 years the LPG Charity Fund has assisted members of the LPG and gas processing industries when they faced catastrophic medical expenses and financial need, including assistance with temporary living and funeral expenses. The fund has dispersed about $1.4 million to help meet extraordinary expenses and more than $1.7 million has been raised to assist those in dire financial need. More than 55 individuals have been helped.

The fund, staffed exclusively by volunteers, is reaching out to the propane industry, and others, to get the word out that its financial resources are available. David Herr, president of the board of trustees, outlines that the mission of the LPG Charity Fund since its founding has been to help LPG industry members and their families. Herr, vice president of the gas division at New York City-based Trammo Inc. and a 17-year volunteer, comments the organization is boosting its social media presence as it simultaneously seeks to build word-of-mouth recognition.

“We host five or six fundraisers a year in a spirit of collaboration and socializing to raise funds for families in need,” says Herr. He adds that 99.3% of all dollars raised go directly to families owing to the all-volunteer structure. “The great part about it is that the fund is staffed by people who believe in the industry and want to help. There’s no other agenda.”

The 12-year board of trustees member explains that tasks are divided among volunteers representing a wide swath of the LPG industry, employees at companies large and small, reporting agencies, as well as brokers and traders, among others. “They’re doing great work and we want to let people know we’re out there and, frankly, we need to know about people we can give to. We can help.”

The LPG Charity Fund raises money in two ways: it hosts annual events such as golf, Texas hold ‘em, and bowling tournaments, which contribute about $75,000 each year, and through individual and corporate donations. The fund website notes that the charity has been successful due to the hard work of its executive committee and 26-member board of trustees, and the fact that it operates within an industry that cares about employees and their families.

“Our fundraising events are fun, open, and not serious,” says Herr. “Participants bring customers to them to socialize.” And due to the broad representation of people and companies, they also provide an opportunity to network among a divergent group of LPG industry personnel. Further, sponsorship opportunities are available in three levels — platinum, gold, and silver — each providing company participation in all annual fundraising events.

Among fund sponsors at various levels are companies such as Argus Media, Enterprise Products, Targa Resources, AmeriGas, Oneok, Pembina, OPIS, Suburban Propane, and Phillips 66. Individual, in-memoriam, and event sponsorships are also available. Information is available at lpgfund.com.

The LPG Charity Fund is aligned with the GPA Midstream Association, formerly the Gas Processors Association, in order to broaden industry knowledge of the fund’s existence in the upstream segment of the LPG and NGL processing industries throughout the U.S. The fund also works with OPIS to raise awareness of the financial assistance that is available in other areas of the industry, such as wholesale and retail propane, marketing, and petrochemicals.

The LPG Charity Fund is a tax-exempt, publicly supported organization in accordance with the Internal Revenue Service Code, section 501(c)3. To contact the fund, call (281) 797-5927. For written correspondence, the address is 20811 Katie Marie Court, Cypress, Texas 77433. An email form is available on the fund website under the contacts tab. —John Needham