Skidmore to aid flood relief effort

Community outreach to mark campus observance of Rosh Hashanah

Skidmore College will observe the Jewish New Year with a two-day, campus-wide drive to bolster relief efforts for area residents victimized by tropical storms Irene and Lee.

The College is collaborating with the Saratoga Springs-based Giving Circle to collect needed items for residents whose homes and livelihoods were deeply affected by flooding in late August and early September. Sponsors of the drive are Skidmore Hillel, the Office of Community Service, and the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life.

The collection drive is a visible way to celebrate the Jewish New Year of Rosh Hashanah, which starts at sundown Wednesday, Sept. 28. Rabbi Linda Motzkin, Skidmore's Jewish chaplain, said, "In keeping with its key theme of improving ourselves and improving our world, we are partnering with the Giving Circle to assist our neighbors in Schoharie County rebuild their lives in the wake of the devastating flooding that resulted from the storms." She added, "Residents of Schoharie County have expressed gratitude to the Skidmore College community for opening our hearts to them. Any donation is appreciated!"

Donations may be brought to the Bernhard Theater lobby (or to the van parked outside, marked for donations) between 8 and 10 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, or between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29.

The following items have been designated as "most urgently needed": 

• Gift cards for gas stations, many Schoharie residents are still out of electricity and are using gas-powered generators
• Gift cards for Price Chopper, Target, Lowe's and Home Depot,  to enable residents to select their own food, needed tools, and household items
• Sweatshirts, sweatpants, fleece jackets, and blankets,  as the weather is now turning colder

Monetary donations are always appreciated. Checks may be made payable to the Schoharie County Community Action Program or "SCCAP." In addition, the following items have been requested. Please note that donated clothes, household items and house wares should be new items.

Utility knives
Disinfectant wipes
Contractor grade garbage bags
Shovels (with square ends)
Heavy-duty work gloves, rubber gloves
Bug spray
Buckets
Bath towels, kitchen towels, washcloths 
Blankets, sheets, pillows, pillow cases (new)
Laundry detergent
Respirators (N-95 masks) 
Winter clothes
Paper towels
All-purpose cleaners
Baby wash, baby wipes
Denture adhesive
Spray bottles
Cutlery
Batteries (all types)
Tarps
Clocks
Sponges
Bungee cords
Swiffer refills
Hair conditioner
Dog food/cat food, cat litter
Paper plates
Lighter fluid
Ropes
Dish soap
Razors, shaving cream
First-aid kits, antibiotic cream
Hoses
Matches
Clorox wipes
Mud boots
Flashlights
Fans
Charcoal briquettes

FOOD: any non-perishable items, infant soy formula, juice, coffee, mayonnaise, pasta sauce.