Tribute & Memorial Gifts
Tribute Gifts: A Tribute Gift is a gift made in memory of or in honor of someone you wish to recognize in a meaningful way. Tribute gifts can be made for many occasions such as a birthday, holiday, anniversary, wedding, or memorial.
Honor the work of a staff member: Wondering how you can say thank you to a CFDS staff member? Making a tribute donation is a thoughtful way to honor a Center for Disability Services staff member who has gone above and beyond.
Memorial and Commemorative gifts: Consider including a request for gifts in your loved one’s memory to the Center of Disability Services in an obituary in lieu of flowers. Memorial and commemorative gifts will be formally acknowledged by the CFDS Foundation. We will provide notification to the family or honoree, making them aware of the gift. Please note the amount will be kept confidential.
Click here for more information on guidance for obituary wording and details.
Make a Tribute or Memorial Gift
Memorial Funds
Memorial funds are a meaningful way to honor the life and legacy of someone special. Each fund supports a designated program or cause within the Center for Disability Services, helping us continue our mission of providing care, support, and opportunities for individuals of all abilities.
The 5280: Wayne A. Smith Jr. Assistance Fund
Wayne A. Smith Jr. was born on March 5, 1968, a healthy, active child who loved sports and being outdoors. At just 12 years old, a routine school physical revealed scapular winging, leading to a diagnosis of Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD), the third most common form of muscular dystrophy. With no cure and an uncertain future, Wayne chose determination over defeat.
Wayne dedicated himself to building a life of purpose. He earned an accounting degree from Siena College and later his Juris Doctorate from Albany Law School. One of the last times he walked was crossing the stage at graduation—a powerful testament to his perseverance. As his condition progressed, using a wheelchair gave Wayne greater freedom and allowed him to fully engage with friends, family, and life itself. Through every challenge, Wayne showed that true strength is found not in muscles, but in resilience, dignity, and heart.
Wayne passed away on December 17, 2025, knowing he had achieved everything he set out to do. His journey now inspires a mission greater than any one life. This fundraiser honors Wayne’s legacy by helping children with disabilities whose families struggle financially to obtain wheelchairs and essential assistive devices—items that are often not covered by insurance or other resources. No child should go without the tools they need to move, participate, and thrive.
Your gift helps continue Wayne’s legacy of compassion and empowerment. Your support can change a child’s life. By donating, you help provide independence, mobility, and hope to children and families who need it most—continuing Wayne’s legacy of strength, perseverance, and compassion.
Donate to the Wayne A Smith Jr. Assistance Fund
St. Margaret's Center Assistive Technology Fund in memory of Lilly
This fund was inspired by Lilly, a beloved resident of St. Margaret’s Center, whose determination sparked the “Adirondack Lilly” Assistive Technology Fundraiser six years ago. Donations from this campaign enabled the Center to purchase life-changing technology that supported Lilly’s education. We are hoping to continue to make advancements with the Assistive Technology Fund. Your contribution will help more residents at St. Margaret’s Center access the same transformative tools that helped Lilly succeed.
Donate to the Assistive Technology Fund