Editor: Keith Davis Writers: Dave Maley, Mike Warwick Publisher: Office of Public Information Volume 22, No. 7   November 15, 1999

Ithaca College Is Reaching Out to Help Caring and Sharing The Interfaith Religious Council and the Staff Council’s Caring and Sharing Committee are once again teaming up for two special charitable efforts — the "Emergency Relief Fund" and the "Happier Holidays" project — both of which are funneled through Muller Chapel. The Emergency Relief Fund was created to assist students, faculty, and staff who experience a crisis and need immediate, short-term financial assistance. In the past the fund has covered such situations as house fires, families with no hot water or winter heating, medical care not covered by insurance, and emergency travel for a family crisis. The Happier Holidays project is designed to provide staff members who may be in need with adequate food and presents for their immediate families over the upcoming holidays. The committee collects canned goods for both the Thanksgiving and Christmas/Chanukah holidays and provides gift certificates from Wegmans along with presents for the children. Because last year’s needs depleted fund levels, the goal is to raise $1,500 for each charity. All donations are tax deductible; checks made out to the Ithaca College Emergency Relief Fund and/or Ithaca College Caring and Sharing Committee can be sent directly to Muller Chapel. Any Ithaca College community member can request emergency assistance by contacting one of the Muller Chapel chaplains directly; holiday assistance can be obtained by contacting Lola Snow, Muller Chapel secretary and chair of the Caring and Sharing Committee, at 274-3103. All recipients of aid will remain anonymous. Students Seek ‘Helping Hands’ For the second year, members of the Ithaca College community will have an opportunity to lend a hand to some underprivileged local children during the upcoming holiday season. The "Helping Hands" project is raising funds to hold a party on December 4, when the children will be treated to food, gifts, games, and entertainment. "The money is raised by selling cut-out paper hands for one dollar each," says Jeff Miller ’00, who is organizing the party in conjunction with the College’s Community Service Network. "People who buy a hand can decorate it and write a holiday message on it for a family member or a friend. All of the hands will be displayed in the Campus Center so others can see the holiday messages." Miller says the project was well received last year and has spread to other college campuses, including Quinnipiac College, the University of Northern Colorado, and Sacred Heart University. He notes that the students involved in the project — by raising funds, shopping for gifts, decorating the party room, and participating in the party itself — get as much out of the experience as the children themselves. "Helping Hands" will be available for purchase in the Campus Center through December 1. Donations can also be made directly to the Community Service Network, located on the third floor of Egbert Hall. Call Jeff Miller at 277-6406 for more information or e-mail jmiller7@ic3.ithaca.edu.

Created by Andrejs Ozolins. Updated 12. Nov. 1999