Around Our World... and Beyond
The Terrible Towel® and Allegheny Valley School in the news:
World News with Charles Gibson (ABC), Friday February 6, 2009:
On Friday, February 6, 2009, The Cope Family was named Persons of the Week on World News with Charles Gibson. Click here to view the video.
http://abcnews.go.com/WN/PersonOfWeek/story?id=6821185&page=1
The New York Times, Friday, January 30, 2009:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/30/sports/football/30towel.html?_r=1&hp
ESPN.com, Thursday, January 29, 2009:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs2008/columns/story?columnist=garber_greg&page=hotread20/garber
To get your Super Bowl XLIII Champions Terrible Towel® (with score), click here
CONGRATULATIONS PITTSBURGH STEELERS –
SUPER BOWL XLIII CHAMPIONS!
A Steelers Super Bowl Championship Means A Big Win For People With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities
January 2009
During any game involving the Pittsburgh Steelers, there is a sea of towels waving throughout the stands. What creates this colorful vision? The Terrible Towel®.
You may ask, what is The Terrible Towel®? In 1975, The Terrible Towel® was created by the late Steelers broadcaster Myron Cope to inspire fan involvement in a playoff game against the then-Baltimore Colts. Over thirty years later, The Terrible Towel® remains a Steelers fan essential. Since 1996, the sale of any The Terrible Towel® product benefits the children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are served by Allegheny Valley School. The funds that Allegheny Valley School receives from The Terrible Towel® are used to cover costs such as equipment, program expansions and renovations to our facilities.
In 1996, Myron Cope gave the ownership of The Terrible Towel® trademark to Allegheny Valley School. Since then, all the royalties from the sale of any “Terrible Stuff” (including towels, gloves, earrings, hats, tote bags, candy bars and more) have come to Allegheny Valley School.
Sadly, long time friend to Allegheny Valley School Myron Cope passed away on February 27, 2008. Myron’s involvement with AVS stretched more than a quarter century when his son became a resident of Allegheny Valley School. “Myron Cope was a true friend to Allegheny Valley School and his gift of The Terrible Towel® trademark has created a living legacy to his incredible life,” states Allegheny Valley School President and Chief Executive Officer Regis Champ.
When the Steelers play, fans around the world enthusiastically wave The Terrible Towel®. And they buy more “Terrible Stuff.” Since 1996, Allegheny Valley School has realized more than $2.5 million from The Terrible Towel® and related items. This includes nearly $250,000 during 2008. With the Steelers headed to the Super Bowl, sales throughout the remainder of January and into February are expected to remain strong.
Monday, January 19, 2009…The Super Bowl XLIII Tampa Terrible Towel® rolls off the press at McArthur Towel & Sports (see photo on right).
To get your Super Bowl XLIII Tampa Terrible Towel®, click here
To get your Super Bowl XLIII Champions Terrible Towel® (with score), click here
Allegheny Valley School Mourns the Loss of Myron Cope
February 2008
Long time friend to Allegheny Valley School Myron Cope passed away on Wednesday, February 27, 2008. Myron’s involvement with AVS stretches more than a quarter century when his son Danny became a resident of Allegheny Valley School. Soon thereafter he founded the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, a vintage car event that raises funds to support Allegheny Valley School and The Autism Society of Pittsburgh.
Myron cared passionately for those like Danny and wanted to help them in any way he could. In 1996 he gave a tremendous gift to AVS, donating
The Terrible Towel® trademark. Since that time, AVS has received the royalties from all “Terrible Stuff” (including towels, pillows, gloves, earrings and much more). Since 1996, contributions from The Terrible Towel® have brought Allegheny Valley School more than $2.2 million. The funds that Allegheny Valley School receives from The Terrible Towel® are used to help cover costs such as equipment, program expansion and renovations to our facilities.
“Myron Cope was a true friend to Allegheny Valley School and will be missed terribly,” states AVS President & CEO Regis Champ. “Myron’s gift to us of The Terrible Towel trademark has created a living legacy to his incredible life. He tirelessly supported our mission to provide quality services to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and we are most grateful for all of his efforts. Myron was such an integral part of Pittsburgh and of Allegheny Valley School that his passing leaves a tremendous void that will never be filled.”
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Allegheny Valley School or Autism Society of Pittsburgh. Click here to make a donation to Allegheny Valley School.
To view media coverage of Myron Cope's death, click the links below.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
KDKA
WPXI
WTAE
The Terrible Towel® and Allegheny Valley School
You may be curious why is The Terrible Towel® on the front page of Allegheny Valley School's web site? The answer: Because Myron Cope was a dedicated friend to AVS.
In 1996, Myron Cope walked into Allegheny Valley School President and CEO Regis Champ's office and said, "Rege, I've got a gift for the school." He then handed over documents that gave the ownership of
The Terrible Towel® trademark to Allegheny Valley School. From that day forward, the proceeds from the sale of any Terrible Stuff have come to Allegheny Valley School.
Why did Myron make this generous gift to AVS? "Allegheny Valley School is the very best organization of its kind I know of, and I speak from experience," says Cope. "My son Danny, who was born brain-damaged and can neither speak nor otherwise function normally, has lived at Allegheny Valley School since 1982. For my late wife Mildred and me, Allegheny Valley School was a Godsend. Danny is happy and is cared for with expertise, understanding and love."
You can cheer on the Steelers and also support Allegheny Valley School by purchasing Myron Cope's Official
The Terrible Towel®. Products include a wide variety of towels (black, gold, golf, toddler, beach and woven), lapel pins, earrings, key chains, license plates and more. To order call 1-800-832-6883 or order online at
http://news.steelers.com/catalog/TerribleStuff/.
