Contributed AN ONGOING EFFORT — Jason Polgar, center, a 2021 Brooke High School graduate, was presented $1,900 to continue his efforts to provide iPads to help local youth with autism communicate with others. Raised by the Autism Walk held by staff with Brooke High School's pre-kindergarten program, the money was presented by Kathryn DeGarno-Young, an instructor of special needs children in the program; and Brooke County Schools Superintendent Jeff Crook.

WELLSBURG — As a boy, Jason Polgar saw how his brother, Ryan, was able to use an iPad to communicate better with their parents and others.

It made an impact on Jason because Ryan was among children on the autism spectrum who find it difficult to express themselves verbally or non-verbally.

But Jason didn’t let it end there, deciding he would help other such youth by raising money for more iPads on which could be downloaded communication apps to help them understand and use language.

With the help of fellow members of the Christian Assembly of Follansbee and others, various fundraisers were held to support the donation of 66 iPads and the creation of Ryan’s Prayer of Hope and Healing, a grassroots nonprofit charity that Jason headed when he was in fourth grade.

Now enrolled at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, Jason Polgar recently was presented a $1,900 donation to support the purchase of additional iPads.

The donation came from an Autism Walk held last year by staff with Brooke High School’s pre-kindergarten program at the school’s athletic track.

Kathryn Young, who works with children in the program with special needs, said the money came from registrations paid by more than 100 walkers, the sale of T-shirts and drawings held for gift baskets.

She noted the event also included 15 booths with information about various services available to parents.

Also lending their time to it were members of Brooke High School’s Educators Rising club, who led games for youth with sensory issues; the school’s Art Club, who offered face painting; its Future Business Leaders of America chapter, who donated bottled water; and the Brooke Track Boosters, who ran the concession stand.

Nearly $4,000 was raised, with half used for classroom needs for Brooke students with autism, said Young.

She noted Jason Polgar and his mother, Barb, launched the school district’s first Autism Walk years ago at Follansbee Middle School.

“The Polgar family holds a special place in our Pre-k hearts because that’s where Ryan first started his educational journey. We were thrilled to be able to split proceeds from the walk with Ryan’s Prayer for Hope and Healing,” said Young.

Jason Polgar said the charity and the Brooke County school district have formed a good partnership because its staff is able to identify the local youth who will benefit from the iPads. He said that, with support from his family, fellow church members and others, the charity has continued even as he graduated from high school in 2021 and went on to earn degrees in political science and Biblical ministry at Waynesburg University.

Asked if as a boy, he could have envisioned it continuing for so long, he said, “I thought it was a milestone when we donated our first iPad. I don’t think I would have believed it.”

Jason Polgar said he’s been pleased to have seen firsthand the computer devices help other children.

“I saw it in some of the classroom as my brother was growing up,” he said.

Asked about his future, Jason said upon entering Waynesburg University, he had been divided between going into politics or the ministry but it became clearer to him while attending a summer conference on expository preaching, an approach that involves applying the context and historical setting of a biblical passage to the lives of today’s listeners.

“I felt the ways God has gifted me would be best poured into the church,” he said.

me would be best poured into the church,” he said.