South Fayette resident organizes Southpointe event to benefit autism-related causes
Anna Snyder gives a Hula Hoop a try during the Rockers’ set at the Summer Fadeaway Aug. 4 at Southpointe Town Center.
Chris Stafford, sunglasses and all, takes the role of vocalist Bono in the band One: A Celebration of U2.
Gathering before the bands take the stage are, from left, Brett Spitale, executive director, Greater Pennsylvania Autism Speaks; Val Porter of WDVE-FM, event emcee; Scott Snyder, Summer Fadeaway chairman; and Susanne Cole, president and chief executive officer, Pressley Ridge.
Lucy Stankus of Cecil Township doesn’t appear to be quite so sure how to work her Hula Hoop during the Summer Fadeaway.
Rick Friedline as The Edge in the band One: A Celebration of U2
Anna Snyder gives a Hula Hoop a whirl during the Summer Fadeaway at Southpointe Town Center.
Audrey Paciorkowski gives her Hula Hoop a try during the Summer Fadeaway.
Having some fun during the Summer Fadeaway
Bill Woznichak performs with the Classic Rock practitioners The Rockers.
Carl Emerick of Mt. Lebanon performs with the Classic Rock practitioners The Rockers.
Eva Scoulus hoops it up while her dad, Gary, performs onstage with The Rockers.
Gary Scoulos jams on his Gibson Les Paul with The Rockers.
Greg Maxin performs with One: A Tribute to U2.
Lucy and Oliver Stankus try to cool off during the Summer Fadeaway party.
Val Porter of WDVE-FM gives information about the Summer Fadeaway’s cause.
Members of the Irish band U2 have a long history with charitable causes, from their 1985 performance at Live Aid to singer Bono’s continuing efforts to help improve life in Africa.
And so it was appropriate that Canton, Ohio, band One: A Celebration of U2 headlined the Summer Fadeaway street party at Southpointe Town Center in Cecil Township, held Aug. 4 to benefit two organizations that help improve life for people with autism and their families.
Event chairman and U2 fan Scott Snyder of South Fayette Township learned that his son Nathan is autistic when the boy was 18 months old. Now approaching his ninth birthday, Nathan is getting ready for another year in public school without the need for aides or therapy.
“I believe that because he was diagnosed so early, he has really been able to achieve goals that we never imagined,” his father said.
As a result, his goal is to promote awareness about autism, not only that the disorder exists and is becoming more prevalent by the day, but of the importance of timely detection, recognition and action.
“What I’m trying to do is make parents with young children aware that if their son or daughter is showing the signs, that they should get help immediately,” Snyder said as the Summer Fadeaway’s opening band, the Rockers, prepared to take the stage. “Don’t ignore the signs, and do whatever you have to do to get your child help.”
The beneficiaries of the money generated through various raffles, sales and donations associated with the event are Autism Speaks, the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization, and North Side-based Pressley Ridge, which serves the needs of children with developmental disabilities.
“Early detection is key. We’re looking for those key indicators to make sure that you’re getting the services that you need, as soon as possible,” Brett Spitale, executive director of Greater Pennsylvania Autism Speaks said.
“One thing that research has shown over and over again is the earlier you can get that detection, that diagnose, the earlier you can intervene with services, and the better off that child is going to be down the road,” the Bethel Park resident explained.
After a diagnosis, the next step might be to contact an organization such as Pressley Ridge, which has been in operation since 1832.
“We do a wide variety of services, and autism is one piece of that,” Susanne Cole, president and chief executive officer, said. “We really exist to be a partner in our communities, to help kids and families, and to work with special populations like children with autism.”
The population at the Summer Fadeaway grew from its late-afternoon start into the evening, as those in attendance heard performances by the two bands and later by acoustic guitarist Keith Willowchell.
Snyder, general manager of Southpointe-based engineering and construction firm Stevens, organized a similar event for a Saturday in 2015. This year, he decided to move it to a Thursday so that the folks who work in Southpointe’s 250 businesses could hang around for a while and enjoy the festivities.
“It was a nice way to bring everyone in for a community event,” he said, “and then wrap that into a cause that’s very important to me.”
To donate, visit www.pressleyridge.org/get-involved/summer-fade-away-party.