- Last Updated on Tuesday, 30 April 2013 20:41
By Colette Dell
On April 20, the third annual Masquerade Bowl for autism took place at the Princess Lanes by Caste Village.
On April 20, the third annual Masquerade Bowl for autism took place at the Princess Lanes by Caste Village.
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For the past two years, Tom Caste, president of commercial realestate for Caste Village, and the Autism Connection of PA have teamed up for this event. Tickets to the event were $25 each, which included complimentary drinks, New Orleans style foods, bowling, music and dancing. There was also a Chinese auction and various raffles.
Caste became involved with the Autism Connection of PA after his son was diagnosed with autism at the age of two. Soon after the diagnosis, the Caste Family Fund, a donor advised fund under the Pittsburgh Foundation, was started in order to give back to organizations such as Autism Connection.
Caste became involved with the Autism Connection of PA after his son was diagnosed with autism at the age of two. Soon after the diagnosis, the Caste Family Fund, a donor advised fund under the Pittsburgh Foundation, was started in order to give back to organizations such as Autism Connection.
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Lu Randall, executive director of the Autism Connection of PA gave her thoughts on Caste’s fundraising.
“He is very gracious and the families are very grateful for the support,” Randall said. This event has raised over $10,000 over the past two years and the number of attendees seems to keep growing.
Regular attendee of the event and general manager of Princess Lanes, Bruce Wright, said that this year was the best turnout he had seen since the Masquerade Bowl began and he hopes this event has continued success, bringing awareness to autism.
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Although autism has many challenges, not everyone who is diagnosed with it see it as something that conquers them. Robert Hester, who does the photography for the event every year, has had autism for 30 years and believes that if it weren’t for his condition, he would not have the same creative edge in photography that he has, today.
“I consider myself a true victor, not victim of this diagnosis,” Hester said.
