News
January 23, 2017Hope and Achievement @ #518Gives Telethon
Local talent will shine and stories of hope, innovation and achievement will be highlighted during the #518Gives Telethon to benefit the Center for Disability Services on Sunday, January 29, from noon to 7 p.m. The all live, all local show airs on WXXA/FOX23 (cable channel 8 or check listings) live from the Radisson Hotel Albany, 205 Wolf Road, Colonie. FOX23 will lifestream the broadcast. All proceeds support the Center and its divisions, Down Syndrome Aim High Resource Center, Life Quality Solutions Incubator, Prospect Center in Queensbury and St. Margaret’s Center in Albany.
Child representative Jashai Dukes, a 5 year old resident of St. Margaret’s Center, a division of the Center for Disability Services, attends the Center’s Langan School and is known for his love of being “the boss”. Adult representative Hali Whyland, known for her smile and being sociable, is a participant in the Day Habilitation program at the Center’s 700 South Pearl Street site and lives in a Niskayuna residence operated by the Center. Inspirational stories will introduce Sadie Dutcher, a 3 year old from Central Bridge who attends the CloverPatch Preschool MOVE (Mobility Opportunities Via Education) class and uses adapted equipment and technology; Mike Lizzi, a 51 year old who has been part of the Center for 22 years and is currently employed at Commercial Services on Karner Road, which provides mailing, printing and document scanning/imaging for businesses; and Isis Nack, an 11 year old student in a RAAVE (Responsibly Addressing Autism Via Education) class at Langan School who is excited about learning new things.
Nationally known singer/songwriter Sawyer Fredericks, considered a hometown hero, will perform at 5 p.m. Other acts include The Expressions and Fabulous Harmonizers, Center Adult Program Participants; a group from St. Margaret’s Center singing and playing instruments; vocalist Katie Louise from Halfmoon; vocalist/guitaristDarryl Daily from Wynantskill; The Electric City Chorus; Loreal Lavigna, a singer from Schenectady; vocalist/guitarist Joe Glickman from Clifton Park; 12 year old singer Nicole Hoffman from Troy; classically trainer teen singer Jacquelyn Goldstein from Queensbury; acoustic duo Werthner & Frederick; Donald Hyman, ‘The Soul Man,’ from Albany; husband and wife acoustic duo EJ Ray from Glenmont; 13 year old singer/guitarist Grace Bartow from Troy; singer Gianna Robustiano from Albany; teen vocalist Katie Buddenhagen from Loudonville; the Albany High School Albanettes Choir and children and teen tap dancers from Eleanor’s School of Dance.
The Center, known as the place where people get better at life, is celebrating 75 years of service to the community in 2017. It provides innovative programs and vital services, which are often not available elsewhere, to thousands of individuals with disabilities and families every year. Chairperson of the #518Gives Telethon committee is Gregory S. Smith of RL Smith Sales.
Text 518Gives to 41444 to donate or give online at www.cfdsny.org. On January 29, call 518-459-7070 to make a pledge. For more information, search #518Gives, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter @cfdsny or go to www.cfdsny.org
