This month two events are raising money to support the Emergency Cornellians Aiding and Responding to Employees (CARE) Fund, which helps Cornell employees experiencing an unexpected major financial crisis.

Cornell’s student a cappella groups will hold a benefit concert Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. in Call Auditorium. Tickets for the concert are $10 at the door. Electronic tickets are discounted to $5 for children 15 and under, and $8 for Cornell students (all other electronic tickets are $10). To purchase tickets electronically, visit A Cappella Cares Tickets.

Also, employees who donate as little as $1 per paycheck or make a one-time donation of $24 or more to the fund by March 6 at the CARE Fund site will be eligible for a drawing for two prizes: New York City Adventure for Two, including round trip tickets on the Campus-to-Campus Bus, a two-night stay at the Cornell Club and a $200 gift certificate at Union Square Café; and one for an Ithaca Staycation for Two, including dinner at Taverna Banfi and an overnight at the William Henry Miller Inn.

Employees eligible for CARE Fund support include families dislocated from their homes in the wake of such disasters as fire or flood; victims of domestic violence; serious illnesses and accidents requiring health care that is not covered by insurance or family funds; and other nonrecurring sudden or emergency-related financial hardships. Applicants who are approved for funding can receive between $200 and $1,500.

“We thank all the students involved in the a cappella concert for giving their time and talent to help employees,” said Beth McKinney, director of Cornell Wellness and co-chair of the CARE Fund. “This is sure to be a great concert, with all of Cornell’s a cappella groups in one place, providing song and entertainment appropriate for all ages.”

McKinney also thanked Cornell Transportation, the Cornell Club, Taverna Banfi and the William Henry Miller Inn for donating prizes. She said that the drawing for an adventure in New York City or a “staycation” for two in Ithaca replaces the auction the CARE Fund had held in the fall semester in past academic years.

“We are hoping that this method of giving just a dollar a paycheck will appeal to a broader range of employees,” she said, adding that Cornell employees show their generosity and giving spirit every day. “Payroll deduction provides employees with a simple, direct way to make an immediate difference in the lives of their colleagues and co-workers.”

The Emergency CARE Fund is staffed by Cornell volunteers and funded through the donations of faculty, staff and others interested in supporting Cornell employees. All donations go directly to employees. Any amount not awarded in a given year is carried forward to the next fiscal year.