Golisano donates $5 million
to The Summit Center |
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Civic leader and philanthropist Tom Golisano, the founder of Paychex, has awarded The Summit Center an unrestricted gift of $5 million as part of a multi-million dollar giveaway. The gift was completely unexpected and will have a transformational impact on the agency.
During a press conference on Sept. 17, Mr. Golisano announced he is donating $360 million to a total of 82 nonprofit organizations across upstate New York. Funds will be distributed across a four- or five-year period to organizations in the health care, education, intellectual and developmental disabilities, general community, and animal welfare sectors. |
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CEO Lisa A. Foti shared, “Words cannot express how grateful we are to Mr. Golisano for his incredible generosity. This gift is unprecedented, one that will be used to increase the depth and breadth of services at Summit and strengthen our financial independence. We’ll be taking some time to examine ways to maximize these funds over the short- and long-term.”
See the full list of recipients. |
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Kincaid teams up with Minky Couture
to support Summit |
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Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid has partnered with Minky Couture, a luxury blanket brand, on a limited edition collection. A portion of the proceeds will support The Summit Center. Minky Couture sells ultra-soft blankets and robes and is one of Dalton’s favorite brands. The line up features a blanket in Bills Mafia colors (red, white, and blue) and a dark blue robe.
The Dalton Kincaid Collection is on sale now at www.softminkyblankets.com. Discounts on Minky products are available. At the time of publishing, BLANKET50 will give you 50% off.
Dalton is a true champion for The Summit Center and the autism community. In April, he visited with students and staff at Summit Academy in celebration of Autism Acceptance Month. |
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Sponsorships, tickets available
for the Summit Soirée |
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Sponsorships and tickets are available for the Summit Soirée, taking place on Friday, November 1, at Salvatore's Italian Gardens, 6461 Transit Road, Depew. Partygoers will enjoy a sit-down dinner, live and silent auctions, the Hope Awards, and dancing at the afterparty hosted by DJ Primo. This year's Hope Award recipients are Cindy DeMarti and West Herr Automotive Group.
Visit PartyForSummit.com to purchase a sponsorship or tickets, and check out our Amazon gift list to donate to the silent auction.
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Thank you to our sponsors! |
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Goldfish Swim School offers
free family nights |
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Summer may be winding down, but families can still enjoy time in the pool thanks to Goldfish Swim School. Free family nights will be held from 7:35 – 8:35 p.m. every second Monday of the month.
Goldfish Swim School is offering these evenings free of charge to provide inclusive opportunities to Summit families. Each session can accommodate 49 swimmers. Dates and times are subject to change, and a session will not be held in December.
To register or for more information, call the Goldfish Swim School at 716-427-6200. |
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Summit wins GEICO FastPitch gift |
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The Summit Center was named the winner of an $11,000 gift from GEICO as part of the company's FastPitch program. FastPitch is a funding process in which GEICO associates "pitch" local organizations to receive a range of donations.
Valjeta Trautman, GEICO associate and Summit Autism Walk volunteer, pitched on behalf of The Summit Center. Her nephew has autism, and Val is passionate about helping organizations like ours.
We are so honored to be chosen for this funding and want to thank GEICO and Val for supporting Summit. |
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Autism workshops educate teachers
and other professionals
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Many individuals with autism learn differently than their neurotypical peers, requiring unique strategies to be successful in school and in life. At Summit, we know autism. We offer contractual psychological and behavioral consulting services that help schools and human service agencies throughout Western New York deliver the best possible support.
Over the summer, 110 educators attended Summit’s annual Summer Institute titled “Key Considerations and Strategies for Fostering Students’ Academic and Behavioral Success.” This two-day workshop prepared school personnel for their incoming students with autism, anxiety, and/or behavioral disorders. Participants represented 32 school districts across 21 counties throughout New York State.
The Summer Institute and other workshops are led by David Meichenbaum, Ph.D., director of the Behavioral Pediatrics Clinic and Community Consulting at The Summit Center. Dr. David Meichenbaum is renowned for his expertise in fostering positive behaviors in children and young adults with autism and/or behavioral challenges. He has delivered more than 400 presentations to educators, school personnel, and mental health professionals across the country.
On October 17, Dr. Meichenbaum will be delivering a 3-hour virtual workshop titled “The First 30 Days: Troubleshooting and Overcoming Challenging Behaviors and Its Related Barriers.” For more information, visit www.thesummitcenter.org/what-we-do/behavioral-health-division/educatorworkshops/.
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| David Meichenbaum, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist and serves as the clinical director of the Behavioral Pediatrics Clinic and director of Community Consulting at The Summit Center. |
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Celebrating our direct care employees |
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Earlier this month, we celebrated our direct care workers during Direct Support Professionals Appreciation Week (Sept. 8-14).
Our direct care employees work across several Summit programs, including respite, community habilitation, BFFs, and S.T.E.P.S. day program. Each of these programs support children and adults in building upon communication, social, and other life skills to help them reach their full potential. Kyle, a participant at one of our S.T.E.P.S. Tonawanda locations, said he loves the program and hanging out with the staff.
"I like that they stand up for me. They help me make friends and help me have a more positive attitude," Kyle said.
The work our staff does every day creates a positive impact in the lives of so many. One parent shared that her son’s in-home respite staff does an incredible job engaging him in activities he enjoys, listening to suggestions from the family, and accommodating flexible schedules.
We appreciate all of our direct care professionals' hard work and dedication. Their compassion and expertise make a difference for so many individuals and families. |
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Reduce your taxes with a qualified charitable distribution
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Starting at the age of 73, anyone who holds an individual retirement account (IRA) must take a required minimum distribution (RMD) Regardless of whether they need the money.
Qualified charitable distributions are a strategic way to meet your required minimum distribution while reducing your adjusted gross income.
Seniors can fulfill their RMD obligation by donating to The Summit Center through a qualified charitable distribution (QCD). In 2024, individuals who are 70 1/2 and older can make qualified charitable distributions of up to $105,000 from their IRA. For married couples, the combined total is $210,000. |
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Of course, QCDs of any amount can still be a win-win. Incorporating a QCD into your tax strategy can lower or eliminate your required minimum distribution and reduce your tax bill. It’s a powerful tool for managing your finances while supporting a cause you care about. Contact your IRA or financial advisor to start the process. It's important to note that QCDs apply exclusively to IRAs and not to employer-sponsored plans like 401(k)s. Your donation must be transferred directly to Summit and should not pass through your hands. For more information on planned giving, such as naming Summit in your will, contact Jeanne Dunkle at jdunkle@thesummitcenter.org. |
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October 14: Free Family Swim Night
Time: 7:35 - 8:35 p.m.
Location: Goldish Swim School, 7950 Transit Rd, Williamsville, NY 14221 Summit families can swim for free every second Monday of the month. For more information or to register, contact the Goldfish Swim School at 716-427-6200. October 17: "The First 30 Days" Workshop
Time: 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Presented by David Meichenbaum, Ph.D., this virtual workshop for educators will cover early successes, challenges, and barriers participants have encountered during the beginning of the school year. Register here.
November 1: Summit Soirée - The Party for Summit
Doors open at 6 p.m.
Location: Salvatore's Italian Gardens, 6461 Transit Road, Depew, NY 14043 Join us for a fun evening of silent and live auctions, the Hope Awards, and an afterparty hosted by DJ Primo. Sponsorships and tickets are for sale at PartyForSummit.com. |
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The concept of autism was coined in 1911 by the Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler. The word autism comes from the Greek word "autos," which means "self." The definition of autism and how it's studied has changed greatly during the last century. (Source: The National Institutes of Health) |
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Our Mission
Guided by evidence-based practice, we maximize life success for people facing developmental, social, and behavioral challenges. |
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