A slow economy hasn't stopped the generosity for which Pittsburgh is renowned. Two of the city's largest galas brought in more than $4 million last week, and there were at least 12 other benefits going on in town.

The giving began on Tuesday at the new Monroeville Convention Center, a wonderful space (the former Wickes) donated by Oxford Development to the Hillman Cancer Center for its gala. Elsie and Henry Hillman and PNC president Sy Holzer with his wife, Cathy, served as honorary chairs for the benefit chaired by Steve and Susan McGalla. More than 650 guests enjoyed cocktails to the music of Jessica Lee before being ushered into the dinner area, where square tables were echoed by square plates bearing contemporary arrangements of delicious fare prepared by UPMC executive chef Brad Kelly. A local harvest of vegetables in four preparations, a naturally fed beef duet of filet and short ribs and milk chocolate panna cotta were simply splendid (as was the parting gift of the late Jane Citron's "Living to Cook" cookbook!).

Pittsburgh's favorite native son, Michael Keaton, volunteered his services as emcee for the evening (after his sister and event organizer Pam Douglas asked him!), introducing several moving videos, a performance by Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre students and Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth, who entertained with rousing good spirits and a voice that could shatter glass. And since it was, after all, a Tuesday, Mr. Holzer made good on his promise to keep things moving. By evening's end, $3.6 million had been raised for cancer research, prevention and patient care through Hillman.

Mackenzie Carpenter's video program, "Omnivore," is available exclusively at PG+, a members-only web site of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.