News
February 1, 2016Community Generously Supports Center’s Telethon
When the seven hour all live, all local broadcast of the 56th Annual Center for Disability Services Telethon was over, the final tote was $2,055,017 a new record. All proceeds benefit the Center for Disability Services and its divisions, Down Syndrome Aim High Resource Center, Prospect Center in Queensbury and St. Margaret’s Center in Albany. Highlights included appearances by shortstop Didi Gregorius of the New York Yankees and defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul of the New York Giants. They were special guests in the sports area, presented by UHY LLC, at the Radisson Albany Hotel. Last year’s final tote was $2,018,724.
The telethon showcased the talents of dozens of area performers and introduced viewers to child representative Piper Sofia Lourinia, of Colonie, who was remembered during the broadcast with a special ‘in memory’ tribute. After her sudden death earlier in January, her family wanted to continue Piper’s legacy and asked that her story be told to the community. Adult representative Rich Whaley lives in a residence operated by the Center works at the Center’s mailing services site on South Pearl Street. Inspirational story subjects included: Meki Abdalla, a 13 year old from Schenectady, who is a student in a RAAVE, Responsibly Addressing Autism Via Education, class at the Langan School in Albany; Arianna “Ari” Burdick-Cozzolino, a 4 year old student at Clover Patch Preschool in Glenville who uses adapted equipment for dining and speech; 16 year old Austin Jones, who is known for being good with technology and is a resident of St. Margaret’s Center, a pediatric and young adult skilled nursing facility which is a division of the Center; and Tejas Murali Ranganathan, a 3 month old infant from Clifton Park who has Down syndrome. His family is being assisted by a facilitator from the Down Syndrome Aim High Resource Center, a division of the Center for Disability Services. Segments from Prospect Center in Queensbury featured students from RAAVE, Responsibly Addressing Autism Via Education and MOVE, Mobility Opportunities Via Education classrooms, a youngster who uses the Tobi Eye Gaze computer, an aquatic therapy participant and an adult from the Day Habilitation program.
“Make a better tomorrow was this year’s theme,” said Anne Schneider Costigan, Deputy Executive Director of the Center’s Foundation. “The Center touches countless lives, from individuals with disabilities and families, to staff, board members, neighbors, co-workers and friends. Once again, this community was very generous to the Center and we are thankful our donors continue to make the Center the place where people get better at life.”
The telethon aired on FOX23 with hosts John Gray, Lydia Kulbida, Tim Lake, Elisa Streeter, Liana Bonavita, Christina Arangio, Ryan Peterson, Nick Johnston and Nicol Lally from the FOX23/News 10abc team and Bill Fox and Suzy Garcia from B95.5, Jay Scott and Ben Patten from Magic 590/100.5, Chrissy Cavotta and Ally Reid from FLY92.3 and Danie B from JAMZ 96.3.
