Columbian Generosity in Action: 900 Toys and 94 Bags of Winter Clothes Donated This Holiday Season
What else is there to say but THANK YOU?
As 2025 comes to an end, Columbia Community Service (CCS) wishes you a safe, healthy, and happy new year. In addition to already raising more than $200,000 in 2025 to support local organizations doing incredible work, Columbians have stepped up in a major way this holiday season by donating toys and winter clothing to our neighbors in need.
900 Toys Donated
This holiday season, 900 toys were collected to make it the happiest holiday for children across Harlem and Morningside Heights. Columbia Business School faculty and staff alone donated 200 toys (pictured above)!
The toys were distributed by Association to Benefit Children, Church of St John the Divine, Church of the Ascension Food Pantry, Graham Windham, HCCI, New Life Outreach International Church, NYC Kidsfest, STEM Educational Institute, The Reading Team, Uptown Inner-City League, and Youth on the Move.
Just look at the happy faces of the kids receiving gifts through The Reading Team below! Your donations made the holiday magical.
94 Bags of Winter Clothing Donated
Columbians pulled together to donate 192 winter coats, part of 94 bags of winter clothing, to help keep our neighbors warm this winter. A very special thank you to Association for Learning and Mentoring Services, Inc. (ALMS), which donated 112 coats this year to the drive!
That's in addition to...
1,500 Turkeys Donated
During Thanksgiving week, CCS and Columbia University Facilities and Operations joined together in an annual effort—supported by Columbia Dining staff and matched donations from partner Sysco—to help deliver 1,500 turkeys to nine local organizations fighting hunger and supporting our neighbors: Boriken Neighborhood Health Center, Broadway Community, Inc., Cathedral Community Cares, Church of the Ascension Food Pantry, Drew Hamilton Community Center, NY Common Pantry, P.A’.L.A.N.T.E. Harlem, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, and West Side Campaign Against Hunger.
$9,000 in Emergency Grants Issued
In the face of rising need, CCS has mobilized emergency support for local nonprofits on the front lines fighting food insecurity. This effort was made possible by a generous and unexpected donation from the Leo Rosner Foundation, designated for the CCS Food Relief campaign. Community Impact requested $4,000 to help stock and operate the Ford Hall Food Pantry, which is serving more families than ever. P.A.'L.A.N.T.E. Harlem sought $5,000 to strengthen its homeless services food pantry, where the need for consistent, accessible meals has surged.
Thanks to your incredible generosity, we’ve already raised 67% of our $300,000 goal. Now, we’re counting on YOU to help us reach the finish line. Every dollar you give goes directly to the organizations and individuals making a real, lasting difference.