MORGANTOWN, WV (March 19, 2025)—PACE Enterprises will hold its 3rd Annual Laurel Leadership Gala presented by Hope Gas, NPL, Stateline Pipeline Construction, and WVU Medicine this Saturday March 22, 2025, at the Morgantown Marriott at Waterfront Place.  The event will continue to support the Vision 2025 campaign.  The focus of this year’s event will continue to be on PACE Place, an affordable, independent housing facility for those with disabilities located in Star City.  The facility is about 40% complete and should be finished in the late summer or early fall.   

Joe Lefkay, Director of Marketing and Development said, “We have increased or sponsorship numbers and are excited about another great year.  We are very blessed with tremendous support from the community in sponsorship of our organization and event”. 

The Laurel Leadership Gala is a semi-formal dinner and auction offering wonderful items up for bid, including a trip to Ireland, Napa Valley, beach trips and a trip to Tuscany.  One thing separating this night of fun from other fundraising events and auctions, is the “Laurel Leadership Award.”  The PACE Board of Directors created this prestigious annual award to recognize the leadership of an individual who exemplifies leadership in advocacy, philanthropy, and action to provide meaningful jobs for people with disabilities in West Virginia. 

Hope Gas President and CEO Morgan O’Brien is this year’s recipient of the award.  Mr. O’Brien and Hope Gas are continually helping the local community and work with PACE on a regular basis to help with our mission and cause aiding those individuals with disabilities.  Along with being a shredding client of PACE, Hope Gas has been a Presenting sponsor of the first two Gala’s and are now partnering in a box lunch program with the BeeHive Café, one of our lines of business.    

The auction portion of the gala will be conducted by award-winning auctioneer James Yoder of Kaufman Auctions.