Celebrating the Close of CUIMC Holiday Toy Drive
This year was one unlike any other. While the COVID-19 pandemic presented numerous and distinct challenges, the employees of Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) rallied in support of local community-based organizations (CBOs) and childcare centers to provide help where it was needed most. The CUIMC annual toy drive typically consisted of in-kind toy donations collected throughout the campus. Due to COVID-19 protocols, monetary donations were collected in lieu of toys as part of the Holiday Toy Drive and Competition. Through the generous support and participation of 381 employees, faculty, students, and affiliates across all four schools, we were able to raise over $25,000 for the drive. Special acknowledgement goes to following schools; the Mailman School of Public Health for the most generous average gift (where the average gift was over $100) and the College of Dental Medicine for winning the most giving (where over 15% of the school participated in the competition).
This is above and beyond the food relief support we were able to provide earlier in the year through the Medical Center Neighborhood Fund. We thank everyone again for donating and choosing to take part in the competition.
One hundred percent of the donations were gifted to the following organizations:
- Fort George Community Enrichment Center Head Start
- Washington Heights Child Care Center
- Mamá Tingó Child Care & Learning Center
- Literacy, Inc. (LINC)
- Fresh Youth Initiatives
- Police Athletic League
- The Community Association of Progressive Dominicans (ACDP) to support health and wellness services.
- Riverstone Senior Life Services caregiver support program for individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia, or other form of memory loss.
- Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation (NMIC) English-speaking instruction, professional development sessions, workforce training, and career courses for clients.
- Community League of the Heights (CLOTH) and their food pantry.
We are most grateful for your continued support and look forward to continued partnership with our neighbors in Washington Heights and Inwood.