Residential Operations Spring Get Together Raises Nearly $3,000 for Columbia Community Service

By
Office of the Executive Vice President
April 26, 2012

On April 26, 2012, over fifty people gathered in the lobby of Wien Hall to support Columbia Community Service (CCS) at the annual Spring Get Together organized by Columbia University Facilities' Residential Operations.   

Facilities employees donated dozens of prizes including an iPad, American Express Gift Cards and Yankees tickets, which culminated in a raffle that raised nearly $3000 for CCS, which supports small, local nonprofit organizations that assist families, schools, and businesses in Upper Manhattan.   

"Facilities has always been committed to supporting our neighbors, not only through our support of CCS, but also by the many people who generously donate their time to help local organizations," said Mark Kerman, assistant vice president of residential and commercial operations for Facilities who also serves as the President of CCS.

The highlight of the event was hearing - first-hand from representatives of two local non-profit organizations - how CCS support makes a difference in the lives of community members.

Carmita Padilla, executive director of Health Leads New York, explained how Columbia's support and student volunteers help individuals obtain access to food, better living conditions, childcare, education, and income support. 

Dr. Robert Houck, executive director of Friends of the Children New York, described how CCS grants helps his organization provide role models for underprivileged children in the local community; the program assigns children-between the ages five to seven-mentors to guide, motivate, and advise, the mentees until age eighteen. 

"Having visited many of the agencies who receive grants, I've seen the positive impact that we are able to make," said Kerman.

CCS celebrated its 65th anniversary this past year. If you would like to make a donation or find out more, please visit http://communityservice.columbia.edu/

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