Skidmore Cares unites campus for holiday season

December 12, 2014

Once again, Skidmore Cares has brought together faculty, staff and students during the holiday season to make a significant contribution to local families in need.

The annual campuswide initiative was launched in 2006 by Skidmore President Philip Glotzbach and Marie Glotzbach. This year the effort culminated on Dec. 5—designated as Skidmore Cares Friday—with the collection of food, school supplies and money to assist local agencies that serve the community.

This year’s Skidmore Cares beneficiaries are the Corinth Central School District, Wellspring, Franklin Community Center, Latino Community Advocacy Program, Mary’s Haven, Salvation Army, Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council (EOC), Saratoga Springs City School District PATHS Program, and Shelters of Saratoga.

Skidmore students and staff set out midday on Monday, Dec. 8, to deliver more than 1,800 food items and boxes of school supplies. The agencies also will receive shares of cash donations totaling some $11,000, with the funds coming from campus contributions and from vendors who do business with Skidmore.

The Skidmore Cares fundraising effort has again been boosted by proceeds from Beatlemore Skidmania, the college’s annual concert of Beatle music performed by students, faculty and staff. Organized by Professor of Music Gordon Thompson and a group of his students, the program this year featured three sold-out performances in November in the Arthur Zankel Music Center. Proceeds totaling $8,000 from two of the concerts have been donated to Skidmore Cares, while funds from the third show will support scholarships.

The Glotzbachs initiated Skidmore Cares nine years ago to emphasize the importance of responsible citizenship and community service. Each year, as faculty, staff and their families gather for the annual campus holiday open house, they drop off donations in a sleigh on the front yard of Scribner House, the president’s home. That day has become known as Skidmore Cares Friday.

The collection effort was communicated by campus “cheerleaders” in each division of the college. Students were involved through the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Benef-Action and the Student Government Association, as well as through Beatlemore Skidmania.

“It is inspirational to work with members of our campus community to organize and rally our collective campus effort to make a difference in the greater Saratoga region,” said Marie Glotzbach. “Skidmore Cares builds on the college’s heritage of being a good neighbor and provides a very personal way for our students and employees to participate.”