Community Raises $226,000 for Summit!

With more than $226,000 raised, we are thrilled to report that the Autism Walk Virtual Challenge was a resounding success. Hundreds of Summit families and friends challenged themselves and advocated for acceptance and inclusion. People literally climbed mountains to show their love and support!

We are so grateful to each and every participant and donor for helping us raise critical funds for our life-changing programs. This year, five individuals stood out for their fundraising efforts. The top five fundraisers were:

Claudia Rosenecker
Tammy Nicholson
Tony DeSimone
Melissa Attea
Candace Richardson

Thank you to our presenting sponsor, West Herr, for making this event possible. We'd also like to recognize some of our other incredible sponsors:

Tops

American Eagle Fireplace & Playsets

GEICO

Owl Orthodontics

Barclay Damon

Copier Fax Business Technologies

Hodgson Russ LLP

Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman LLP

PCI

Rane Property Management, LLC

ALP Steel Corp.

ARP Materials

1st Priority Mortgage / Howard Hanna

North Forest Office Space

Independent Health

New Era Cap

M&T Bank

Tim Hortons

Buffalo Scrubs

Beechwood Continuing Care

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of WNY

Kenney Shelton Liptak Nowak LLP

Molina Healthcare

Perry's Ice Cream

Rich Products

Sandhill Investment Management

Tronconi Segarra & Associates

Summit Academy will honor its eight graduates with a celebration on Thursday, June 24. The ceremony, open to immediate families, will highlight the accomplishments of these students who have worked so hard during their time at Summit. We offer our heartfelt congratulations to them and to their families.

Evan

LaShawn

Mohammad

Nathaniel

Noah

Ryan

Shane

William

Although the pandemic has altered Summit Academy’s traditional prom plans, Creekside students will participate in prom week from June 7 to 11. The students voted and decided on a “candy shop” theme. Activities will take place each day and include crafts, games, dancing, movies, and a classroom pizza party.

Ben Macdonald challenged himself in a unique way for this year's Autism Walk Virtual Challenge.

As a member of Team West Herr, Macdonald, the General Manager of West Herr Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Lockport, swam across Conesus Lake to raise money for the The Summit Center. Through his enthusiasm, and his physical strength, he raised $3,850! These funds will provide evidence-based support and therapy for more than 1,350 children and adults from across Western New York.

Employees like Ben Macdonald contribute to West Herr's big-hearted reputation. West Herr is known for its generosity and dedication to the greater Buffalo community, supporting other local charities such as Roswell Park, Hospice, and Cradle Beach. The company has already committed to serving as the presenting sponsor of the Autism Walk through 2025.

Thanks to Isabella Smith and Hugs2Give, students in our respite program had the opportunity to participate in a virtual Build-A-Bear making session.

Isabella started Hugs2Give in memory of her huggable sister, Raquel, who attended school at Summit Academy. Sadly, Rachel passed away in 2006. Raquel left a remarkable impression on all those who knew her, especially the staff at Summit. Isabella and her family have continued to honor Raquel’s memory through their foundation.

Young Audiences Inspires Through Music

Arts Partners for Learning (APL) is an initiative managed by Young Audiences of Western New York (YA-WNY), with a mission to expand access to arts education for children across the Western New York region. As a school partner, The Summit Center is eligible to collaborate with area cultural organizations to receive arts in education programming at no cost. This spring, APL supported a partnership between Summit and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO). Over three days, eight virtual sessions were led by two BPO musicians and teaching artists: Anna Mattix (oboe) and Sheryl Hadeka (french horn). Performing both new and familiar songs, Anna and Sheryl led the students through interactive workshops on music and emotion, storytelling, and conflict resolution.

Sheryl had this to say about the collaboration: "Thanks SO MUCH for the wonderful opportunity! It is always so great to connect with the kiddos at Summit and to have the help and support of Young Audiences of Western New York!" We are fortunate to have an organization like YA-WNY to inspire, expand learning, and strengthen our community through engagement with the arts.

Sensory Friendly Film Series at Flix

Flix Stadium 10 is offering a sensory friendly family film series on the first Saturday of every month at 10:00 am. The theatre lights will remain on and the sound will be lowered. Admission is $8.75 per person for both children and adults. Flix will also offer a monthly raffle for attendees to win concession prizes and promotional movie gifts.

Dipson Theatres, Inc. acknowledges the needs of social engagement and environmental factors affecting people on the autism spectrum, and hope that this family film series will create an entertainment venue for families to enjoy new releases in a presentation that will suit unique and special needs.

Potential guests are encouraged to sign up for the theatre’s weekly email list which will announce each month’s film. Anyone interested can go to www.dipsontheatres.com and sign up for the weekly newsletter.

Last month, Totally Buffalo Hope For The Holidays made a donation of coloring books, puzzles, games, magazines, and other learning materials for the new leisure room at Summit Academy's Creekside Drive location.

The leisure room is a space for students to explore their interests more freely and independently. It is full of art supplies, board games, video games, STEM materials, and more. Creekside staff members recently began piloting leisure clubs which they hope to expand on in the coming school year. Leisure clubs allow students to take ownership of creative hobbies such as drawing, photography, video editing, music making, and much more. Staff also anticipates running STEM, fitness/wellness, and cooking/baking clubs, too. These opportunities will enable students to explore their interests, learn about self-expression, and engage with the world around them.

Totally Buffalo Hope for the Holidays' mission is to bring hope and help to those in need, particularly around all holidays throughout the year. We are grateful for their support!

The Summit Center’s S.T.A.R. (Support, Training, and Respite) program, funded by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, offers parents and caregivers new strategies to support them through various stages of their child’s life. Training sessions will be offered from July to November. Topics include Transition to Adulthood and Behavior Basics.

To register, please call Laurlen Parry, Coordinator of Community Services, at 716.799.8163
or Ashlee Bronson, Assistant Director of Community Services, at 716.799.8156.

For more information, please visit our S.T.A.R. webpage.

Meet Ashlee Bronson!

What is your role at Summit?
I am the Assistant Director of Community Services which is a fancy way of saying that I oversee our onsite and offsite respite care programs, Community Habilitation, and Family Education and Training program.

What is your favorite part about working for Summit?
My favorite part of working at Summit is my interactions with the individuals that we serve, watching them grow and gain independence.

What is your favorite TV show?
Friends

Name something on your bucket list.
Visiting Colorado

An Exclusive Gift for a Bills Fan

Looking for a unique Father's Day or birthday gift for a member of the Bills mafia?

Purchase a custom replica of Ralph Wilson Stadium by Home Fields! This replica stadium comes in four sizes, is layered to provide a 3-D effect, and has LED lights that illuminate the playing field. The slim design is perfect for a shelf or bookcase.

Pictured is Bills Hall of Famer Joe DeLamielleure who has enthusiastically endorsed the product.

Visit www.homefields.com to purchase and for more information.

Use code Summit10 to receive a 10% discount off your purchase of any replica from their line of 150+ stadiums and arenas. As an added bonus, Summit will receive a donation of 20% of the sale!

Leave Your Legacy at The Summit Center

The things you value and believe in are an important part of who you are. What happens to your ideals and beliefs when you pass away? Planned giving is a thoughtful way to support the individuals we serve. Your gift will help ensure that The Summit Center can continue providing therapy and encouragement for the children and adults who need it most.

You can leave your legacy at The Summit Center in a number of easy ways:

- Transferring stock

- Naming us as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy or retirement plan

- Leaving a donation in your will

- Establishing a charitable gift annuity

The Vista Society honors individuals who have included The Summit Center in their estate plans. For more information, visit thesummitcenter.org/plannedgiving.