Ladies Hospital Aid Society
 
In 2006, the Ladies Hospital Aid Society awarded a grant to AVS that will make a long awaited sensory garden at the Pittsburgh Campus a reality.  The LHAS Sensory Garden will provide an outdoor environment that incorporates different types of sensory input through careful selection of hardscape and plant materials. Sounds of wind chimes and water, the feel of different walking surfaces and pathways and eye-catching objects will intertwine with fragrant and textured plants to allow individuals who are ambulatory or who use a wheelchair for mobility to directly interact with the garden's features.  In the sensory garden, residents will be able to experience the sights, sounds, smells and touch of nature.  The garden is currently under construction and is expected to be completed during Summer 2007.
45th Anniversary Sapphire Celebration
 
       Allegheny Valley School's 45th Anniversary Sapphire Celebration was held on October 6 at the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh in Oakland, PA.  The evening included a performance by Whoopi Goldberg in An Evening with Whoopi Goldberg.  The fund raiser was a huge success, bring together 425 guests whose support raised more than $325,000 for AVS.  Proceeds from the event will help AVS to cover its costs that are not funded by other sources - these expenses include much needed equipment, program expansion, renovations and property.
       The evening began with a cocktail buffet in the Music Hall Foyer.  Guests had a chance to mingle and enjoy several food stations and passed hors d'oeuvres, all catered by Parkhurst Dining Services.  Flowers by Tim Condron and linens by Table Talk perfectly complimented the foyer.
       Following the reception, quests proceeded into the Music Hall where they heard brief comments from the event Co-chairs Audrey Fisher and Tricia Kassling, AVS' Chairperson Parie Duggan and President and CEO Regis Champ.  The pre-show also included the premier of a new AVS video.  Whoopi Goldberg then took the stage to humor and to warm the hearts of the crowd.  Toward the end of the show Whoopi invited questions from the audience; to event guest Dolores Bold's surprise, when Whoopi couldn't hear her question, she jumped down from the stage into the audience to get close enough to listen and respond.  Before concluding her show, Whoopi spoke about the important work of AVS and helped us raise an additional $3,000 by auctioning off three gift baskets!  Thanks to the highest bidders: Renee Frazier, Ira Gumberg and Elsie Hillman.
       The event came to a close with dessert and coffee in Music Hall Foyer.  As each guest left, they were given a Sarris candy bar with a special Sapphire Celebration wrapper.
       The evening was especially memorable for six AVS residents in attendance.  Whoopi Goldberg spent time with them after the show, autographing their programs and posing for a few pictures.
       A special thank you is extended to our Sapphire Sponsor First Commonwealth for its lead sponsorship of the event; to the Sapphire Celebration Co-chairs Audrey and Tim Fisher and Tricia and Bill Kassling for helping to organize this spectacular evening; to the hard-working committee of Parie and John Duggan and Courtney Borntraeger; to event planners Bonnie Walker Chirigos and Linda Miller of Creative Affairs; and to all the event ambassadors, sponsors, donors and ticket buyers.  Many more contributed their time, energy and/or dollars to ensure the success of the Sapphire Celebration and we appreciate and thank all who participated.
 
Click here for a list of our event sponsors.
 
Click here to view pictures from our 45th Anniversary Sapphire Celebration.
 
Terrible Towel Sales Help to Improve Residents' Lives
      
       On April 12, 2005 the Pittsburgh Steelers and Myron Cope presented Allegheny Valley School's President and Chief Executive Officer Regis Champ with a check for $270,000, representing the proceeds from the 2004 season sales of the Terrible TowelTM.  The check presentation took place during a press conference held at the Pittsburgh Campus.  Dozens of residents were in attendance and many more helped to create decorations hanging throughout the gym that thanked Myron and the Steelers for their generosity.  Several local television, radio and newspapers attended and produced stories about the event. 
       Myron Cope, who created the Terrible TowelTM nearly 30 years ago, awarded its trademark to Allegheny Valley School as a gift in 1996.  Cope's son has been an AVS resident for more than 20 years.  "Allegheny Valley School, in the help that it gives to the severely handicapped and people with mental retardation, is the most outstanding organization that I have been personally acquainted with," said Cope.  "It has made a tremendous difference in the lives of my son and our entire family." 
       Over the past eight years, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of all TerribleTM products (towels, earrings, footballs, license plates, lapel pins and more) have come to Allegheny Valley School to help improve the quality of life for the people that we serve.  "The better the Steelers do, the greater the impact it has on our organization and the lives of our residents" said Champ.  "We are very thankful that Myron Cope appreciated us enough to give us his Terrible Towel" trademark." 
       The funds that AVS receives from the Terrible TowelTM are contributed to the Capital Development Fund to help cover the gap between expenses reimbursable by Medicaid and the organization's total expenses.  Property, program expansions, equipment and renovations are examples of expenditures that require support of the Capital Development Fund. 
       Steelers President Art Rooney II, called out of town and unable to attend the event, commented, "The Terrible TowelTM has long been a symbol of the power of Steelers football on the field, but it also helps improve the lives of hundreds of residents of Allegheny Valley School throughout Pennsylvania." 
       We are grateful to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Myron Cope for making a difference in the lives of the children and adults that we serve. 
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Allegheny Valley School . 1996 Ewings Mill Road . Coraopolis, PA 15108-3380 . 412-299-7777