(Click on the Hug Award for a closeup photo)
The IASC is an organization comprised of individuals who work within the intimate apparel and other industries.
Our members are executives, designers, salespersons, etc. who volunteer their time. None of our members are paid and we are a 501C tax-exempt organization.
Our mission is to unite our membership into a charitable organization to "Help Those Who Cannot Help Themselves" and to participate in activities that will reflect credit to our industry and ourselves.
In practical terms, our "mission" is to raise funds and distribute them to charities of our choice.
The organization was founded in 1955. The primary beneficiaries at the time were charities concerned with the Blind and the Elderly.
Over the years, IASC had developed a very close relationship with the Howard A. Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine/Pediatric Unit of NYU Medical Center. Today the lion's share of our monies are earmarked for the benefit of "The Rusk Kids".
Additionally, we react with the staff and "The Rusk Kids" throughout the year by holding at Rusk, A Christmas/Hanukkah party, an Easter/Passover party and a Christmas/Hanukkah in July party. Food is served, generous gifts are given to each child, musical entertainment provided and one of our members plays the part of Santa and of the Bunny Rabbit. Often, we provide additional entertainment such as clowns and face painters.
The IASC has donated over the years approximately $2.5 to $3 million to Rusk (our early years records keeping are vague). We were the primary sponsor of the Rusk Therapeutic Play Garden that opened in September 1998 and serves as a model to therapeutic playgrounds.
In 1998, we decided to name our dinner The Hug Award (Help Us Give). We had a statue created; it is presented to the Honoree(s) at the Annual Dinner Dance.
The main programs that we support at NYU, Rusk are:
The Children's Fund
Children's Therapy, 9th Floor
Art Therapy Program
Advanced Clinical Training
Fellowship
Child Life Program
Rehabilitation Program
Music Program
In some years when our income from contributions is in excess of our normal programs, the Chairman of the Medical staff at Rusk presents us with a wish list of areas where they can use help in additional funding. The Charity Committee evaluates the requests and monies are distributed.
Other charities supported on a regular basis are:
NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases
NYU Pediatric Neuro-Oncology
NYU Disabled Students Scholarship Fund
Beth Israel Pediatric Ophthalmology
Fight for Sight
Camp Sussex
Jewish Braille Institute
The Lighthouse
Jewish Guild for the Blind
Visions
Alzheimer Disease Association
Association for the Help of Retarded Children
Deborah Heart & Lung Center
Hale House
Hebrew Home for the Aged
Northern Lights
