The Emergency Cornellians Aiding and Responding to Employees (CARE) Fund surpassed its $10,000 goal from recent fundraising events. The money will help replenish the fund and help staff members and faculty cope with emergency-related or sudden financial hardships.

Two auctions -- one online and one live -- raised more than $5,000 each. A 50/50 ticket sale and pizza lunch brought in another $260, while the Oct. 15 men's and women's hockey games raised $1,846.

The live auction was attended by more than 125 members of the Cornell community, with nearly 80 bidders. Winning bids ranged from $8 to $500.

Other direct donations to the fund, totaling about $6,000, continue to come in online and through payroll deduction.

Flood relief collection

In the aftermath of recent flooding, many people still need help. The office of R5 (Respect, Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) Operations in Facilities Services, with help from the Division of Human Resources and Safety Services, is collecting such items as five-gallon buckets, cleaning supplies, linens and kitchenware to assist in these efforts through Nov. 4. Donation sites have been set up in many buildings, and the CARE Fund website lists the items needed. Items will also be collected at Halloween Happenings, Oct. 31, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Willard Straight Memorial Room.

So far, 47 employees who suffered losses as a result of the floods caused by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee have been helped by the fund. According to Beth McKinney, Emergency CARE Fund committee member and director of the Cornell Wellness Program, many other employees who experienced emergencies this past year have also received fund support. The CARE Fund offers financial assistance to faculty and staff members who experience a non-recurring sudden financial hardship due to an unforeseen or unavoidable event or emergency.

"This was a team effort, and we could not have pulled it off without all the committee and Employee Assembly members, and student and staff volunteers," said McKinney. She credited Ruth Merle-Doyle, health and wellness specialist for the Cornell Wellness Program, and Gemma Osborne, production coordinator for alumni and communication at the Geneva campus, for coordinating the auctions. She also thanked Sue Detzer, program assistant in athletics, for coming up with the hockey games fundraiser and pitching it to the Hockey Booster Club, which embraced the idea.