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Allegheny Valley School PERSPECTIVES Vol. 23 No. 1 Providing community residential environments and therapeutic programs throughout Spring/Summer 2009 Pennsylvania for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. ALLEGHENY VALLEY SCHOOL NEWS Acquisition Update Honoring Guy A. Squillante, Jr. May 30 marked the one year anniversary of Allegheny Valley Long time friend to and Board member of AVS Guy A. School (AVS) becoming a member of the NHS Human Services Squillante, Jr. passed away on April 8, Family of Companies (NHS). As it has been reported in past issues 2009. Guy was the owner and of Perspectives, to those on the outside looking in, the acquisition president of Heritage Agency, Inc. He has not changed the way we operate or the care and services that was a generous benefactor to AVS for are provided to the more than 900 children and adults with more than 25 years and served as a intellectual and developmental disabilities who are clients of AVS. Board member for the past 12 years. Within the organization there has been some consolidation. Guy’s support of AVS included Most notably, working together, representatives from NHS and AVS hosting an annual golf outing for nine have been evaluating and integrating best practices from both years where all the proceeds organizations in order to enhance the services provided to our benefitted AVS. In 2004, Guy clients and to better equip employees with the most up to date combined his golf outing with AVS’ practices in the disability field. On a monthly basis, the AVS and and became the Presenting Sponsor of Allegheny Valley School’s NHS senior management team meets to review the overall Friends of AVS Golf Open. Guy, his wife Rhea and daughter and integration plan and reports on progress made or changes to the son-in-law, Lisa and David Keefer, served as ambassadors and effort. Functional areas meet throughout the month to determine have generously supported our special events including most how to optimally combine the two organizations. Throughout the recently, Celebration 2008 Featuring Terry Fator. Guy was an entire process, maintaining and improving the care and services avid collector and builder of model train displays. He was also provided to the clients remains the focus for AVS. a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather. The NHS Integrity Program will be implemented throughout AVS Allegheny Valley School’s 18th annual Friends of AVS Golf during the summer months. The program is a commitment to Open will be held on Monday, August 10, 2009, at Churchill personal and corporate integrity. Its aim is to ensure that everyone Valley Country Club. This year’s event is being held at Guy’s golf throughout the entire organization maintains the highest standards club and will honor his wonderful life. of performance and quality of care, complies with laws and “Guy’s connection to Allegheny Valley School went far regulations, and establishes and maintains appropriate business beyond business and Board membership – he was as much a ethics. AVS’ commitment to integrity and quality will fit well into part of Allegheny Valley School as anyone could be,” states The NHS Integrity Program. President and Chief Executive Officer Regis G. Champ. “We Now entering year two of the combined company, AVS and NHS have lost a committed friend, strong and dependable advocate, will continue to work together to integrate systems and collaborate, generous benefactor, and a good person. Guy never sought with the focus remaining on delivering quality services to individuals recognition for his philanthropy, but he delighted in knowing with intellectual and developmental disabilities. that his generosity significantly helped improve the lives of hundreds of severely disabled people at Allegheny Valley Friends of AVS Golf Open School.” Guy is deeply missed by so many. We are delighted that Heritage Agency, Inc. will again be the Presenting Sponsor for the Friends of AVS Golf Open. The event Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix will be held on Monday, August 10 at Churchill Valley Country The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix (PVGP) presented by Shop ‘n Club and will be a tribute to the life of Guy A. Squillante, Jr. who Save is gearing-up for its 27th year. The PVGP will present 10 days supported AVS in so many ways during the last quarter century. of vintage sports car racing, car shows and motorsport activities to As of June 1, sponsorships and underwriting commitments have delight the quarter million fans during the July 10-19 Race Week. been received from AVS Foundation, Brucker Schneider & Porter Proceeds from the Grand Prix help to purchase much needed and Cindy and Regis Champ. Proceeds from the event will be equipment, improve facilities, and expand programming at contributed to the Capital Development Fund to help maintain Allegheny Valley School and provides a comprehensive array of and improve the services AVS provides to more than 900 people autism-specific information, referral and advocacy services to with intellectual and developmental disabilities. For more families and professionals at the Autism Society of Pittsburgh. information or to register for the event please call Amy Harvilla For more information on the 2009 events please visit at (412) 299-2229 or visit our website at www.avs.net. www.pvgp.org. 1 www.avs.net WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA NEWS Pittsburgh Campus Activities AVS Women Join the Red Hat Society Christmas Spectacular AVS recently launched several local chapters of the Red Hat Society, and now female residents throughout the state are enjoying The Pittsburgh Campus resident choir performed a wonderful social activities with their peers. The social club is part of a national Christmas concert and play this past December. The choir sang and society of woman aged 50 years or older who get together for bell choir played Christmas outings and community projects. Women dress-up in red hats and carols under the direction of purple accessories while enjoying a social gathering. Those who are Music Therapist Denise Noel. under 50 years old are known as “pink ladies.” Also participating in the The Western PA ladies call themselves the Allegheny Valley concert were students from School Divas and are led by Social Service Supervisor Rita Pine Richland Middle School. Christner. This chapter consists of residents from the Kennedy Many parents and friends Program Center, Edward J. Zapp Program Center, Pittsburgh came to watch the show and Campus and Slippery Rock Program Center (SRPC). Each site is Ann plays the bells and sings along stayed for refreshments and to responsible for planning its own events. to Christmas carols. visit. Nineteen (19) ladies from Kennedy had their first event this past Pittsburgh Symphony Quartet February. They got together for coffee, snacks and a craft. After On February 19, a quartet from the Pittsburgh Symphony socializing over refreshments, they each made a heart shaped Orchestra (PSO) came to Pittsburgh Campus and performed for pillow to take home. Classroom A. Everyone from the class enjoyed this private Since then they’ve had a performance. On March 10, the Symphony came back to the few more gatherings Campus and performed for more including a 50’s Day. than 90 residents. The 32 Red Hat ladies Through its Education and at Zapp have participated Community Engagement in numerous activities program, the PSO has visited including social AVS at least twice a year. We gatherings, a Red Hat walk throughout the Clara and Theresa with their pillow are most grateful to the craft project. musicians and the PSO building and DIVA Bingo. Ed and Tom are joined by organization for their They also celebrated Red Hat Society Day in April with a special members of the Symphony. commitment to those we serve. dessert. Red Hatters from Pittsburgh Campus and Kennedy Pro gram Steelers Pep Rally Center attended the Shrine Circus on April 3. Everyone had fun To celebrate the Steelers trip to the Super Bowl XLIII® , residents held watching the circus animals and clowns, and especially liked being a Steelers pep rally. Residents dressed in their red hats. from the entire Campus In March, the group from SRPC got together for a craft project cheered on the team with fight where they decorated their red hats. They also had a social songs and skits. A sea of Terrible gathering in April to discuss ideas for the group and future events Towels® filled the gym and they would like to attend. awards were given for the best For more Red Hat activities at AVS see Red Hat Society in dressed. Congratulations to Eastern PA article on page 5. Mark and Sharon for showing the most Steelers spirit with AVS Cheers on the Pens! their outfits. Pittsburgh Campus residents cheer On January 14, residents from Becks Run, Fox, Harmony and on the Steelers. Hookstown cheered on the Pittsburgh Penguins from The Crosby Suite at Mellon Arena. The Penguins donated ten tickets in the suite Baseball Fundraiser to Benefit AVS to be used by residents and their accompanying staff. Everyone The Upper St. Clair Founders Fund held its 5th Annual JBJ enjoyed complimentary Father’s Day Baseball Classic on Saturday, June 20. The event refreshments and had took place at the new Boyce/Mayview fields. With their entry their picture taken with fee, each player received a uniform t-shirt, equipment for the Iceburgh, the Penguins day and a gift certificate to StonePepper Grill or Pizzaz in the mascot. Each attend ee South Hills. For more information about the day’s events or to also left with a goodie get a team together for next year, please contact Mike Fornear bag. Many thanks to at (412) 726-7206 or [email protected]. A portion of the Sidney Crosby and the proceeds from the event will be contributed to Allegheny Pittsburgh Penguins for Valley School.