‘Give Autism the Boot,’ Rich Center encourages

The Vindicator/Robert K. Yosay

If the boot fits: Helping with the Rich Center for Autism’s “Give Autism the Boot” campaign are, from left, Warren Mayor Michael O’Brien; Youngstown Fire Chief John O’Neill; Phyllis Richiutti, a co-founder of the Rich Center; YSU President David Sweet; and fire department Capt. Kevin O’Neill.

YOUNGSTOWN — Rich Center for Autism is sponsoring a new event, “Give Autism the Boot,” for which firefighter boots will be placed in prominent, popular locations around the Valley as collection receptacles for donations.

On July 25, sites will include General Motors Lordstown for the afternoon shift change and the Scrappers game at Eastwood Field.

The July 26 event will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Locations will include the local Panera’s sites in Austintown, Boardman, Canfield and Warren; the WFMJ Eastwood Mall News Bureau; Handel’s Ice Cream locations on $1-a-cone day in Austintown, Boardman, Poland and Youngstown; Giant Eagle stores in Boardman (next to Hobby Lobby), Canfield, Howland and Poland; T.J. Maxx in Boardman; Weather Tite Windows in Liberty; and Sparkle Market in Struthers.

Honorary chairmen of the event include Dr. David Sweet, president of Youngstown State University; Mayor Jay Williams of Youngstown; and Mayor Michael O’Brien of Warren. Chief John O’Neill of the Youngstown Fire Department is helping with the event, providing the boot tie-in.

Ann Marie Brogan is project chairman, assisted by Phyllis Ricchiuti, Geri Kosar and Julie Costas.

Providing support

Corporate sponsors include WFMJ-TV, WHOT, Simco Management Corp., and Special Boot Buddies: Medical Community, Friends of the Rich Center for Autism.

Other fundraisers for the Rich Center include the annual PAR Golf Outing planned for Aug. 25 at the Youngstown Country Club, “Autistically Speaking” variety show and “Napa Valley to the Mahoning Valley” event scheduled for Nov. 15 at Stambaugh Auditorium.

No family is charged tuition at the Rich Center, located on the campus of YSU.

The center was founded in 1995 through the efforts of the Ricchiuti, Rubino and Kosar families.