Lifesteps honors Star Award recipient at gala
PROSPECT — Lifesteps honored 35-year-old Scott Shetter as the recipient of the Star Award at its annual Star Gala.
The organization hosted its 17th annual event at the Atrium in Prospect on Friday, Nov. 22, to benefit its Family Caring Fund. The award is given to a person who exemplifies the mission and vision of Lifesteps.
Shetter was diagnosed with autism and a seizure disorder when he was 2 years old, and has been in and out of Lifesteps programs since he attended its preschool program at the age of 3, said Jodie Tabano, director of development for Lifesteps.
Shetter grew up in Butler and graduated from Butler Area School District.
He joined Lifesteps’ Basic Education, Socialization, Training program in May 2010. During this time, he started working at Lark Enterprises in New Castle. Shetter is also involved with the Special Olympics, particularly swimming and bowling, she said.
Lifesteps officials wrote in his biography that Shetter is a role model “for others with disabilities who want to work, as well as pursue personal goals and opportunities.”
“We like to honor someone every year. Scott is 35 years old, he’s very active in Special Olympics, he works, he’s active in his community, and he’s been active in our Lifesteps programs,” John Ross, vice president of marketing for Lifesteps, said Friday afternoon.
The annual event is the largest fundraiser of the year for the fund, which supports Lifesteps’ programs and services. The programs include support for children, adults, seniors, those with special needs and developmental disabilities, and autism.
Last year, Lifesteps celebrated its 100th anniversary by raising over $150,000 for the Family Caring Fund at the Star Gala.
Ross said for this year’s gala, at least 200 people were expected to attend.
“It’ll be a very nice event — the gala. We will have board, staff, sponsors coming, it’ll be a nice group of people from the Butler area supporting our mission,” Ross said.
Tabano said the gala is “building on what we’ve done in the past as we move into the future” of supporting Butler County residents.
“We’ve gotten a lot of great support from the community. We’re very grateful for the support of all those in Butler County,” Tabano said. “The Atrium is very kind to us, and our co-chairs, Mickey Bell and Kelly Giles, have done an amazing job.”
