Behind The Book
For the last three years, CCS funding has supported literacy programs at two local schools and has helped Behind the Book serve approximately 300 students. Last year, Behind the Book piloted the BtheB Library Cart Initiative in schools without a library. Columbia University Libraries generously donated the cart for this initiative. “This is a great opportunity for schools that don’t have libraries and we’re so grateful that Columbia supported us in this pilot initiative. Already we’re seeing the impact of having access to good books, especially among the boys.” -Jo Umans, Executive Director
St. Mary's Episcopal Church Food Pantry
The St. Mary's Episcopal Church Food Pantry serves 60-70 families and individuals every Monday from 4;30-6:00pm. Among them are children, the elderly, heads of households who are unemployed or families and individuals on fixed incomes, with finances that are spread thin. Health problems and a lack of health insurance are common, and good nutrition is often lacking. The Soup Kitchen serves about 85 homeless people who live on streets and in parks in the local community. Every Saturday afternoon, teams of volunteers prepare and distribute bag lunches (including hot soup in the winter), along with information about free medical and other available social services.
West Side Campaign Against Hunger
The West Side Campaign Against Hunger greatly appreciates the generous donation from the Columbia University community of 2,500 pounds of food received on December 21, 2011. What an amazing contribution, and what good work the Columbia Facilities Management Team did in delivering the donation! This support helps the West Side Campaign Against Hunger operate a customer-choice food pantry that serves as a national model. Last year, the West Side Campaign Against Hunger provided food for almost one million meals - by far the highest level of need in their 32 year history. Many thanks to the Department of Residential Operations, Columbia University.
IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
A note of thanks to Joyce Jackson, Jose Rosa, and the many volunteers who made the Third Annual CCS Charity Basketball Tournament, held on Friday, January 6, a great success!!!
With the support of all the teams and volunteers, the tournament raised nearly $3,000, which will be used to help sustain Columbia Community Service programs. In the tournament, eight teams played close, exciting games with the finals decided by only two points. The teams that played came from the Barnard College, Studebaker, Manhattanville, Athletics, The School at Columbia University, Public Safety, Campus Services and Facilities.
This year, the Facilities team will be recognized as the winners of the 2012 tournament at this weekend’s Faculty/Staff Festival prior to the basketball double header on Saturday, January 21st. The Festival begins at 3:00 pm, and the Facilities team will be presented with the winning trophy at 3:30 pm. The event is open to Faculty, Staff, and their families. It will take place in University (blue) gym and will include free food and drinks as well as games and entertainment. Tickets for the double header against Cornell (Women’s game @ 4:30pm; Men’s game @ 7:00pm) will be available for purchase at the Festival for $10.
We hope that you will all join us this weekend for the Festival and stay to support the Columbia basketball teams.
To learn more about the CCS agencies, please visit: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/gca/docs/comm_affairs/past_recipients_of_ccsa_appeal_funds.html.
Please feel free to contact Joan Griffith-Lee, Senior Project Coordinator at 212.854.4288 or jeg7@columbia.edu with any questions regarding the Campaign. Thank you for your continuing support of our neighbors and Columbia Community Service!
Friends of the Children NY
On October 28, just before Thanksgiving, the HR team in the Columbia University Office of Alumni and Development, contacted the Columbia Community Service office and expressed their interest in having an “Adopt-A-Family” program in their department for the holidays. The team wanted to adopt a struggling family and assist them by obtaining their holiday wishes, then fulfilling them. Although they were uncertain of the outcome of this new initiative, they decided to implement the idea on a small scale by assisting one family associated with a CCS agency. We are pleased to report that on Tuesday, December 20, the Office of Alumni and Development, represented by Elizabeth Braden and Ed Gonzalez, presented Kareem Wright, Program Director from the Friends of Children NY with enough toys, clothes, shoes and gift cards to assist FIVE families.
Annual Appeal Goal
$300000
$300000
791 people have donated $261876