BOARDMAN — In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Frank Snyder did his fighting as a strong boxer but his more recent fights are as a strong advocate.

“He had seizures as a baby, which led to some brain damage,” Snyder, of Columbiana, said about his son, Dustin Snyder, 28, who is on the autism spectrum. “He is developmentally delayed, but gainfully employed,”

The elder Snyder, who is now a karate instructor with a fourth-degree black belt, said his son works for Goodness Grows, a nonprofit organization housed at Common Ground Church Community in North Lima. Dustin Snyder also enjoys socializing with others, learning new skills and watching boxing matches, his father added.

So perhaps it was inevitable that Dustin gravitated toward a table that held a large portrait of local former boxing champion Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, who fought professionally from 1979 to 1992 and held the WBA lightweight title from 1982 to 1984.

The portrait also was among the numerous items that were auctioned off as part of Saturday’s 4th annual Rock the Rich Center gathering at Mr. Anthony’s Banquet Center, 7440 South Ave.

The five-hour gala was the largest yearly fundraiser for the Rich Center for the Study and Treatment of Autism. It was aimed at helping the facility, on the Youngstown State University campus, fulfill its mission of improving and enriching the lives of those on the autism spectrum via innovative educational programs, regardless of one’s ability to pay. The center also provides free referrals, treatment and support.

“(Dustin) is happy. He loves to be social and loves to give hugs,” said Frank Snyder, who also came with his wife, Jill, and expressed gratitude for the Rich Center’s ability to help those with autism.

Last year’s Rock the Rich Center event brought in about $90,000. This year’s goal is at least $100,000, Mike Latessa, the center’s interim executive director, said.

The money will go toward a variety of educational and treatment programs, with a special focus on vocational and life-skills efforts, said Latessa, who added that roughly one in 36 births result in a child on the spectrum.

The large increase in the incidence of autism can be attributed largely to a greater amount of awareness, especially in the community and medical field, as well as more family members being tested.

“Any time you test more, you’ll get an increase,” Latessa explained, adding that the Rich Center has an estimated 60 students aged 3 to 21.

Some of the older students are in the center’s vocational and life-skills programs in which their teachers take them to be part of certain service and vocational projects. Those include assisting organizations with a variety of work, such as scanning documents for the Mahoning Valley Historical Society, which has a partnership with the Rich Center, Latessa continued.

Saturday’s festivities included entertainment, courtesy of The Vindys, an alternative rock band said to be one of the most sought-after groups in the region.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have The Vindys back again this year,” Jake Ellis, the center’s community engagement and event coordinator, said. “To have a band this successful, from Youngstown, willing to help us put on our best fundraiser of the year, a rock ‘n roll show, it’s a perfect fit.”

Many of the estimated 500 community leaders, elected officials, autism experts and others who attended the gathering also took part in a silent and online auction.

Several high-profile people donated many of the items for the auction, with merchandise that included a Cleveland Browns football helmet with an autograph from former quarterback Bernie Kosar; a jersey with a signature from Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end; a compact disc with singer Taylor Swift’s autograph; and a drum head signed by Mickey Dolenz, a drummer and vocalist with the popular 1960s band The Monkees and co-star of a TV series of the same name.

Also up for bids were designer handbags, clothing, jewelry, home goods and a Louis Vuitton key patch.

“I’m so grateful to the community for its support,” Phyllis Ricchiuti, a Rich Center co-founder, said.

Ricchiuti also thanked a total of 15 students from Cardinal Mooney and Ursuline high schools for their volunteerism at Saturday’s event.