PSC hosts a Reunion activity in the community

Adding a new dimension to the usual Reunion activities, the Cornell Public Service Center (PSC) developed an opportunity for alumni and their family members and guests to serve the Ithaca community while they were here for Reunion weekend in June.

The Cornell Cares Day Community Plunge was held at Catholic Charities facilities in Ithaca from noon to 3 p.m. Friday, June 7. Local alumni, including Susan Murphy '73, Ph.D. '94, Cornell vice president for student and academic services, and Ellen Baer '78, director of Telluride House, joined PSC staff in cleaning up and beautifying the grounds of the Catholic Charities facilities.

Volunteers heard from George Ferrari '84, a graduate of the College of Human Ecology and now executive director of Catholic Charities of the Southern Tier, based in Ithaca, who provided a brief overview of the agency. Catholic Charities provides services not only in Tompkins County, but in Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben and Tioga counties as well. Its outreach includes such programs as the Food Bank of the Southern Tier; First Time Homebuyers, which offers counseling and resources for income-eligible individuals who seek to own their first home; Day Care Services; Teens and Family Outreach, which assists families in crisis and those affected by teen pregnancy; Nutrition Outreach; and PAVE (Public Assistance Volunteer Effort), which provides support and guidance for single parents.

In three hours, volunteers weeded flower beds, transplanted hostas, created new flower beds along the sidewalk, planted flowers and raked the gravel in the driveway to level the area for handicapped visitors. There are many individuals and families who pass through the doors of Catholic Charities, and it is hoped these efforts will make the building and grounds more welcoming and comforting to those in need.

For more information about Catholic Charities or to volunteer, contact George Ferrari at (607) 272-5062 or gferrari@dor.org.