Hands Across Ithaca (HAI) is a service organization founded in 1998 by Felicia Kornegay, Ithaca resident and public affairs officer in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Cornell. For the past three years, HAI has hosted open house events that have included raffles, an ethnic food fest with ethnic entertainment, fashion shows and holiday music. All of the proceeds are used to benefit local families during the holidays. Each benefiting family is provided with dinner, clothing and toys for the children. HAI has furnished gift items for the parents in the past as well.
The organization began as a fund-raiser in Kornegay's home. Now Hands Across Ithaca consists of more than 12 committee members. Most happen to be part of the Cornell community. Other members belong to the Transonic Systems and the Alternatives Federal Credit Union families. Several departments at Cornell have joined forces with HAI in adopting a family through the community service organization.
This year the benefit event will be an open house Dec. 1 at the Gables Inn, 919 Elmira Road, 7-10 p.m., and it will include a silent auction, holiday/jazz music played by Ithaca jazz artist Fe Nunn and hors d'oeuvres. There is no entrance fee, but HAI is accepting donations at the door. The silent auction was the major attraction last year for Ithacans who came to do some of their holiday shopping. For further information on HAI, contact Kornegay at 255-7427, days, 257-1695, evenings.
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