Allegheny Valley School - Myron Cope and The Terrible Towel

Allegheny Valley School Mourns the Loss of Myron Cope

Long time friend to Allegheny Valley School Myron Cope passed away on Wednesday, February 27, 2008. Myron’s involvement with AVS stretches more than a quarter century when his son Danny became a resident of Allegheny Valley School. Soon thereafter he founded the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, a vintage car event that raises funds to support Allegheny Valley School and The Autism Society of Pittsburgh.

Myron cared passionately for those like Danny and wanted to help them in any way he could. In 1996 he gave a tremendous gift to AVS, donating The Terrible Towel trademark. Since that time, AVS has received the royalties from all “Terrible Stuff” (including towels, pillows, gloves, earrings and much more). During the past 11 years, contributions from The Terrible Towel ™ have brought Allegheny Valley School more than $2.2 million. The funds that Allegheny Valley School receives from The Terrible Towel ™ are used to help cover costs such as equipment, program expansion and renovations to our facilities.

“Myron Cope was a true friend to Allegheny Valley School and will be missed terribly,” states AVS President & CEO Regis Champ. “Myron’s gift to us of The Terrible Towel trademark has created a living legacy to his incredible life. He tirelessly supported our mission to provide quality services to children and adults with intellectual developmental disabilities and we are most grateful for all of his efforts. Myron was such an integral part of Pittsburgh and of Allegheny Valley School that his passing leaves a tremendous void that will never be filled.”

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Allegheny Valley School or Autism Society of Pittsburgh. Click here to make a donation to Allegheny Valley School.

To view media coverage of Myron Cope's death, click the links below.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
KDKA
WPXI
WTAE

You may be curious why is The Terrible Towel^TM on the front page of Allegheny Valley School's web site? The answer: Because Myron Cope was a dedicated friend to AVS.

In 1996, Myron Cope walked into Allegheny Valley School President and CEO Regis Champ's office and said, "Rege, I've got a gift for you." He then handed over documents that gave the ownership of The Terrible Towel^TM trademark to Allegheny Valley School. From that day forward, the proceeds from the sale of any Terrible Stuff have come to Allegheny Valley School.

Why did Myron make this generous gift to AVS? "Allegheny Valley School is the very best organization of its kind I know of, and I speak from experience," says Cope. "My son Danny, who was born brain-damaged and can neither speak nor otherwise function normally, has lived at Allegheny Valley School since 1982. For my late wife Mildred and me, Allegheny Valley School was a Godsend. Danny is happy and is cared for with expertise, understanding and love."

You can cheer on the Steelers and also support Allegheny Valley School by purchasing Myron Cope's Official The Terrible Towel^TM. Products include a wide variety of towels (black, gold, golf, toddler, beach and woven), lapel pins, earrings, key chains, license plates, pillows and more. To order call 1-800-832-6883 or order online at http://news.steelers.com/catalog/TerribleStuff/.