Mission

Founded in 1955, the Intimate Apparel Square Club (IASC) is an organization comprised of individuals who work within the intimate apparel market 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 Contribute to the Triumph of the Human Spirit and to participate in activities that will reflect credit to our industries and ourselves.

In practical terms, our "mission" is to raise funds and distribute them to charities of our choice.

Over the years, IASC developed a very close relationship with the pediatric services department of The Howard A. Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine and Tisch Hospital at NYU Langone Medical Center. Today the lion's share of our monies are earmarked for the benefit of "The Rusk and Tisch Kids."

The IASC has donated over the years approximately $4 million to Rusk Institute and Tisch Hospital. We were the primary sponsor of the Rusk Therapeutic Play Garden that opened in September 1998 and serves as a model for therapeutic playgrounds.

In 1998, we decided to rename our long-running annual fundraiser The H.U.G. Award (Help Us Give). We had a statue created, later replacing it with a Steuben crystal, and present it to the Honoree(s) at the annual H.U.G. dinner dance.

The main programs that we support at Rusk Institute are:

The Children's Fund
Children's Therapy
Art Therapy Program
Advanced Clinical Training
Fellowship
Child Life Program
Rehabilitation Program
Music Program

Whenever our income from contributions exceeds our normal fundraising programs, The Charity Committee evaluates a wish list of areas where additional funds are needed provided to us by the Chairman of the Medical staff at Rusk and monies are distributed.

In addition to our ongoing fundraising activities, we interact with the Rusk Institute rehabilitation staff and "The Rusk and Tisch Kids" throughout the year by holding at Rusk a Christmas/Hanukkah party, an Easter/Passover party in April and even a “Christmas/Hanukkah in July” party. Food is served, generous gifts are given to each child, musical entertainment is provided and one of our members dons a costume to play the part of Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny depending on the gathering’s theme. Often, we provide additional entertainment such as clowns and face painters.

This frequent, personal contact is crucial for the volunteer members of the IASC. To us, a H.U.G. for the children of Rusk Institute and Tisch Hospital comes more than just once a year.