Columbia Community Service Campaign
November 2, 2009
Dear fellow member of the Columbia community:
During the past year, so many people and institutions in our
society have had to make sacrifices to cope with the economic downturn. Columbia itself has hardly
been immune to the challenges of this turbulent time. Yet it is also important
for us to shift our focus outward and extend a helping hand to the programs and
partnerships in our community that are struggling to stay afloat in the face of
decreased funding. The organizations whose services are sought after the most
during a recession are all too often the ones that find themselves most
affected by economic constraints. In times like these, we are reminded of our
official name-Columbia University in the City of New York-and our mission to enhance the
quality of life beyond our campus.
Each year, thousands of Columbia students, faculty and staff
contribute their time to public service, both locally and globally. The
Columbia Community Service (CCS) campaign is a testament to the importance Columbia faculty and staff place on supporting our Upper Manhattan community. Through CCS, Columbians
provide assistance to an extraordinary breadth of agencies that offer health
care, education and legal, technical and other services to local individuals,
families and organizations. We are proud of the fact that 100 percent of your
donation to the CCS Campaign goes directly to supporting the thousands of
people who rely on these programs. It is especially notable that, despite the
downturn, over 1,200 members of our faculty and staff generously supported last
year's appeal, enabling us to award grants to 57 service agencies in our area.
This year, as the demand for vital services such as food
pantries, day care, health care and after-school programs continues to rise, we
are setting our contribution goals to match this increased need. On Friday,
November 6, we will kick off the 2009-10 CCS campaign with an Open House in the
Rotunda, Low Library, from 11:30am to 1:30pm. Everyone is invited to attend,
and I encourage each of you to drop by and meet the people and organizations
that provide critical assistance to our community every day.
As a strong partner in service to Upper Manhattan, Columbia
is proud to join these agencies in not only meeting the basic needs of our
neighbors, but also in helping to provide for the cultural enrichment, physical
fitness and emotional well-being of community members. For example, the West Harlem Beacon Center
offers local children the opportunity to build character and improve academic
performance; the Uptown Inner City League and Figure Skating in Harlem promote both fitness and confidence; and
Morningside Retirement and Health Services offers older citizens a chance to
remain independent in the comfort and safety of their homes. From free English
classes at Riverside Language Program to the restoration efforts of the
Riverside Park Tiemann Place Volunteers, these programs are helping to enhance
our community and improve the lives of the people who live and work here.
Columbia's
continued excellence and growth are inextricably linked to the well-being of
the city and the neighborhood we call home. Especially in this time when local
non-profit groups face the twin challenges of expanding need and declining
funds, I urge you to continue your generous support of the Columbia Community
Service campaign, without which none of this is possible. On behalf of the CCS
leadership team and those who benefit from your contributions, I offer my
heartfelt thanks.
Sincerely,
Lee C. Bollinger
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