Honoring The Summit Center's
Hope Awards recipients |
The Summit Center will present its annual Hope Award to Cindy DeMarti, Summit Foundation Board Member, and West Herr Auto Group at the Summit Soirée on Friday, November 1, at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens.
The Hope Awards are bestowed on supporters who exemplify The Summit Center’s core values, including optimism and collaboration and have impacted our mission. |
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| Cindy DeMarti
Since joining the Foundation Board in 2020, Cindy DeMarti has been a steadfast advocate and donor. Time and again, she has proven herself as someone who considers Summit’s needs and the needs of the individuals and families we serve.
Cindy’s granddaughter Charlotte was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at the age of three. In 2018, she found her second home at Summit Academy. Thanks to the love and support of her family, Team Charlotte is consistently one of the top five teams at Summit’s Autism Walk, raising more than $28,000 since 2022. |
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During the past four years, Cindy’s philanthropic support has had a substantial impact on Summit’s work. In 2020, Cindy made a significant gift to the Early Autism Program to strengthen early intervention services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The following year, she issued a matching gift challenge to Summit’s supporters. In 2024, Cindy donated the funds to replace the worn-out flooring in the respite center, on top of gifts to the Autism Walk and the Stephen R. Anderson Endowment.
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West Herr Auto Group
West Herr Auto Group is well-known for its philanthropic contributions to the Western New York community, and The Summit Center is a prime example.
In 2020, West Herr made a commitment to serve as the presenting sponsor of the Autism Walk. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, they presented a $25,000 matching gift challenge to the community to spur donations at a time when resources were desperately needed. Then, in 2021, West Herr approached Summit about becoming the presenting sponsor of the Autism Walk for the next five years. As The Summit Center’s largest fundraiser, partnering with West Herr was a huge win.
West Herr leaders, including Bill Loecher, Melissa Attea, Kevin Hahn, and Rhonda Frederick, have embraced this partnership. They generously support the Autism Walk with their time and their donations. |
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Proceeds from the Summit Soirée benefit Summit Foundation, Inc., which helps ensure that The Summit Center can continue to serve the community for generations. This year’s Diamond Sponsor is Reeds Jewelers. In addition to the Hope Awards, the event will feature live and silent auctions, an open bar, and an afterparty hosted by DJ Primo. Tickets are available at www.PartyForSummit.com.
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Thank you to our sponsors! |
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Playground surface replaced
at Summit Academy - Stahl |
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The playground at Summit Academy – Stahl has been newly resurfaced, creating a colorful, durable, and safe space for students to enjoy outdoor play. Crews removed the old surface, replacing it with a soft, resilient material that enhances the playground experience.
Play is an essential component of what we do at The Summit Center. Providing a safe, long-lasting place where kids can play is vital to their success. |
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Photos of the recently completed playground resurfacing. |
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Support students
in reaching new heights |
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Children with autism are born with differences in how their brain is structured. Autism hinders the ability to communicate or impedes it altogether. It affects the way information is processed which causes loud sounds, crowds, and other sensory input to feel overwhelming.
At Summit Academy, many of the students we support face challenges that greatly impact their daily lives. Julian is one of those students. He doesn’t speak, and he struggles with self-care skills such as dressing and washing himself. His dad shared that he requires supervision 100% of the time.
Summit Academy is a safe, therapeutic space for children like Julian. Our faculty and staff understand the unique way students with autism learn, embracing them with patience and compassion. Together with his team of teachers, therapists, and behavior specialists, Julian will continue to work towards his highest level of personal independence. He will build essential skills that give him more autonomy. |
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The Summit Center depends on donations to go above and beyond for children with the most significant challenges. More than 200 students are waiting for Summit Academy’s life-changing services. Families often share how difficult life can be with autism. Julian’s dad stated that it would be nearly impossible without The Summit Center. Donate today and give some of Western New York’s most vulnerable children the critical support they need. |
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Employee Spotlight - Presented by West Herr |
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Meet Jenna Donati! What is your role at Summit?
I am an off-site direct support professional for Summit's respite program.
Describe what your day might look like.
I am an occupational therapist by trade, so my mornings and afternoons consist of providing early intervention and preschool OT services at a preschool in Orchard Park.
In the evenings, I enjoy spending time with my respite friends and their families. My friends and I watch movies, listen to music, talk, go for walks in the neighborhood, and spend quality time together. My days also involve building relationships with not only my respite friends but their family members as well.
In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with family, friends, and my boyfriend. What are you most proud of, personally and professionally?
I am most proud of my ability to balance everything I am involved in. Professionally, I am proud to say that I am currently 7 months away from receiving my occupational therapy doctorate.
What is your favorite place to eat in Western New York?
Definitely Danny's!
Name someplace on your bucket list.
France |
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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. November 11: 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. |
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An estimated 5.4 million adults in the U.S., or 2.2 percent of the U.S. population, are on the autism spectrum. Approximately 4,357,667 (3.62%) adult men and about 1,080,322 (0.86%) adult women were estimated to have autism spectrum disorder. (CDC, 2022) |
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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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