Page 6 - HIWT Summer 2017 World of Welding

Sculptures For A Cause

By Janet Piechocki

I had the opportunity to meet some their families
wonderful people recently in the greater by expanding
Rochester area of New York. They are and enhancing
actually people that I have known for opportunities
some time but never gotten the chance to improve
to meet in person until now. I met quality of life.
Olie Olson, a creative and generous The auction for
welding teacher who has been able AutismUp is a
to donate his time and one-of-a-kind culmination of
metal art along with his students and metal sculptures
colleagues. In 2010, Olie had the idea from the
Instructor Olie Olsen that along with his students, they could Genesee Valley
create art that could benefit their local Educational
community. Thirty angels were made and auctioned to benefit the Partnership,
Theresa House, a local hospice. By 2011-12, it was the local Red Monroe #1
Cross who benefitted from an auction of collective metal sculptures. and #2 BOCES,
Next in 2013 it was the Vincent House a comfort care home for the the Wayne
terminally ill. Garden sculptures were created and auctioned. Fingerlakes
BOCES, the Arc &
What started with an idea and one class, soon spread though out Flame Center and Dali’s Chess Piece made by Alexander Presutti,
the area and this school year, the not-for-profit group, AutismUp AWS Rochester Michael Cardinale, Laura Mazzenga and Jackie
became the beneficiary of the fundraiser. The mission of AustismUp Section. Wright from Class 22. Photo courtesy of AutismUp
is to support individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and

2017 SUMMER ISSUE - 6 - www.welding.org www.welding.org - 7 - 2017 SUMMER ISSUE