Skidmore Cares unites campus in effort to help community

As the holidays approach and the fall semester wraps up at Skidmore College, students, faculty, and staff are making a concerted effort to help those in need in the surrounding communities.

The lead program in this effort is Skidmore Cares, a campus-wide endeavor that has collected and delivered more than 1,630 food items, a wide array of school supplies, and cash donations, at a time when many area families are feeling the economic pinch.

Three local food banksare beneficiaries of this year's food drive: Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council, the Franklin Community Center, and the Salvation Army.The school supplies have been delivered to the Corinth School District and the Latino Advocacy Program of the Saratoga County Equal Opportunity Program.

Skidmore Cares has donated the money raised toDomestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services of Saratoga County;Mary's Haven, a local Hospice home; the Corinth School District; and Autism Spectrum Peer Integration & Recreation of New York (ASPIRe N.Y). The fundraising effort was boosted by proceeds from "Beatlemore Skidmania," the college's annual concert of Beatle music performed by students, faculty, and staff. The performances were organized by "The Music Between Us" Scribner Seminar, taught by Professor of Music Gordon Thompson.

"The generosity of the Skidmore community was evident once again as students and staff from the college delivered an assortment of school supplies and a donation to the district," said Daniel Starr, superintendent of the Corinth public schools. "The supplies will be given to students in the elementary and middle schools, while the funds will be used to augment our after-school enrichment program."

Skidmore Cares was launched in 2006 by Skidmore President Philip A. Glotzbach and his wife, Marie, to enhance the meaning of the annual campus holiday gathering at Scribner House, the president's home. This year, during the Glotzbachs' sabbatical leave, the event was overseen by Acting President Susan Kress and her husband, Jack Kress, and took place at the College's Surrey Williamson Inn on North Broadway.

Faculty, staff, and their families dropped off their donations in a sleigh on the front yard at the inn when they attended the open house on Sunday, December 12. For those unable to attend the event, the sleigh was available for "drive-by" donations over the weekend.The collection effort was spearheaded by campus "cheerleaders" in each division of the college.

Skidmore's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee organized the student component of the program, which focused on the collection of food and cash within the residence halls.

Said Skidmore Acting President Susan Kress, "Jack and I were honored to continue the tradition that Phil and Marie Glotzbach began. With unemployment so high at this time, the need is greater than ever. We're very proud that so many students, staff, and faculty participated in Skidmore Cares this year."