VOL. 22, NO. 21	APRIL 18, 1997

By Amy Callahan

The autographed helmet of Columbia football star and NFL prospect Marcellus Wiley drew a bid of $240.

  The annual Community Impact Gala Spring Benefit Auction on Apr. 8, hosted in the world headquarters of Chase Manhattan Bank on Park Ave. in midtown, raised $20,000 to support social service programs run by Community Impact volunteers.

  "It is a very rare phenomenon when you find this many students--850 in number--getting galvanized at an early age and working for the community," said University Trustee Chairman Lionel Pincus, honorary co-chair of the benefit.

From left: Community Impact Executive Director Sonia Reese, auction co-chair and University Trustee Chairman Lionel Pincus and Community Impact board member Purvi Shah, CC'97. Record Photo by Amy Callahan.

  Indeed, before those in attendance could bid for the Cartier clock or dinner for two at the Rainbow Room, they were reminded of the reason for their generosity: the 25 programs sponsored by Community Impact.

  Speaking before the crowded banquet hall, Cori Newhouse, CC '98, a Community Impact volunteer, described her experiences working in the G.E.D. Reality House program on 125th St. in Harlem.

  "Most of the people who come in are considered the bottom of the barrel," she said. "They have drug addiction problems and their primary goal is staying clean and getting their kids back."

  Most of the program's clients, she said, are referred by prisons or social service programs. Community Impact needs financial support because it is virtually a matter of life and death for her clients.

Marcia Sells, a Columbia Law School alumna who now works for the National Basketball Association, served as co-chair of auction committee. Record Photo by Amy Callahan.

  "During the summer, most of our budget was cut. We are no longer able to provide tokens or food to our clients simply because there is not enough money anymore," she explained.

  "What I call an emergency and you call an emergency is a way of life for them. There are so many things stacked against them, that I think I would quit. But they don't."

  She said most Columbia students involved in Community Impact feel equally strong about the clients they've helped.

  "While we may be giving up a little time studying," she said, "they are changing their lives. Tell everyone you know about what we do here."

  Donations to Community Impact are tax deductible and may be mailed to: Community Impact, 204 Earl Hall, Columbia University, New York, N.Y. 10027.