Twenty years of ³Ô¹ÏÍø Cares: The heart of a giving community
For two decades, ³Ô¹ÏÍø Cares has stood as one of ³Ô¹ÏÍø’s most cherished and unifying traditions. What began as a single act of kindness has grown into a campus-wide effort that brings together students, faculty, staff, families, and alumni to support 10 local agencies serving the greater Saratoga community.
Over the past 20 years, ³Ô¹ÏÍø Cares has raised more than $225,000 and collected over 86,000 food items, school supplies, and personal care items for individuals and families in need.
A legacy of growth and giving
The story of ³Ô¹ÏÍø Cares is one of steady growth, creative collaboration, and resilience. As we celebrate 20 years of the program, we look back on the milestones that have shaped its evolution and strengthened its impact on campus and beyond.
Founded in 2006 by President Emeritus Philip A. Glotzbach and Marie Glotzbach, ³Ô¹ÏÍø Cares began as an idea to support local families during the holiday season.
³Ô¹ÏÍø Cares founders Marie Glotzbach and President Emeritus Philip A. Glotzbach gather with students to celebrate the spirit of community and giving in 2008.
In just one year, the initiative expanded from supporting two local food pantries to partnering with four agencies, collecting 1,400 food items and cash donations.
In 2010, the spirit of compassionate care spread even further across campus when Skidmania (formerly Beatlemore Skidmania) — the annual student-run concert — became a dedicated partner. With its proceeds supporting ³Ô¹ÏÍø Cares, Skidmania quickly grew into both a beloved arts tradition and a meaningful expression of the College’s commitment.
Members of the ³Ô¹ÏÍø community gather at Scribner House to celebrate the 10th anniversary of ³Ô¹ÏÍø Cares in 2016.
By 2016, the momentum was undeniable. That year alone, ³Ô¹ÏÍø Cares tallied 3,227 food items, 719 school-supply items, and $13,745 in donations.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when the Saratoga region faced unprecedented need, ³Ô¹ÏÍø Cares stepped forward in new ways. Under the leadership of President Marc Conner, the program adapted, persevered, and remained a steady source of hope and support amid a time of uncertainty and hardship.
Mary Hoehn, director of the Office of Sponsored Research, donates to ³Ô¹ÏÍø Cares as President Marc C. Conner collects contributions in 2021.
Voices of giving
At every stage, ³Ô¹ÏÍø Cares has endured because members of the community have stepped forward to lead, sustain, and reaffirm the College’s commitment to community service, year after year.
Marc Conner
³Ô¹ÏÍø president
Since joining ³Ô¹ÏÍø in 2020, President Conner has witnessed how ³Ô¹ÏÍø Cares expresses the College’s culture of compassion.
“As we celebrate 20 years of ³Ô¹ÏÍø Cares, I’m struck by how much this initiative is such a meaningful and unifying campus tradition. Each year, it’s inspiring to see students, faculty, staff, retirees, and families come together with a common purpose: to support our neighbors and strengthen our connection to the Saratoga community in which we live and work," said Conner.
“The impact of ³Ô¹ÏÍø Cares extends far beyond the thousands of donated items and dollars. It nurtures a spirit of generosity, thanksgiving, and compassion, giving us a moment to pause, recognize the challenges our neighbors face, and reaffirm our commitment to one another. For two decades, that sense of responsibility and care has shaped our community — and it remains a cherished and defining part of the ³Ô¹ÏÍø experience," Conner added.
Marie Glotzbach
Founder of ³Ô¹ÏÍø Cares, lecturer in theater, and wife to President Emeritus Philip
A. Glotzbach
Two decades later, Marie Glotzbach is grateful to see how the effort has grown through collaboration across campus and beyond.
“As the ³Ô¹ÏÍø Cares effort and campus-wide energy grew, it became a joyful and collaborative program. Through the efforts and caring of so many, this tradition has become a significant part of holiday giving in the Saratoga area. It is especially gratifying to know that families and organizations in need continue to benefit from the generosity of the ³Ô¹ÏÍø community," said Glotzbach.
³Ô¹ÏÍø employee Thomas Marcullus lends a hand during ³Ô¹ÏÍø Cares at the Scribner Carriage House in 2025.
Barbara Reyes-Conner
Wife of ³Ô¹ÏÍø President Marc Conner
For Barbara Reyes-Conner, ³Ô¹ÏÍø Cares is defined by simple moments: dedicated volunteers, growing donations, and heartfelt gratitude.
“Spending time with volunteers who generously unload, sort, and count each item has shown me how proud they are of our campus community. And those who deliver the items see firsthand the joy and appreciation from the agencies who receive them. Knowing we can help, even a little, makes it all worthwhile," remarked Reyes-Conner.
Michelle Hubbs
Associate director of civic engagement
As a founding member of the planning team, Hubbs continues to be inspired by the energy ³Ô¹ÏÍø Cares brings to campus and the way it helps people feel connected — both to Skidmore and to one another.
“I think being part of something so large and impactful gives people a real sense of pride, and ³Ô¹ÏÍø Cares offers an easy way for everyone to contribute. Every student who steps onto the stage during Skidmania is supporting ³Ô¹ÏÍø Cares in their own creative way. Anyone can be part of this effort — and the impact on our recipient agencies is both deep and meaningful. I can’t imagine not being part of this wonderful effort," Hubbs said.
Megan Buchanan
Senior associate director of athletics
For Buchanan, ³Ô¹ÏÍø Cares offered one of her earliest glimpses into the heart of the ³Ô¹ÏÍø community.
“³Ô¹ÏÍø Cares is one of the traditions that reminds me why our community is so special. Each year, I’m inspired by the way colleagues, students, and departments come together with genuine generosity and a shared purpose. It’s a chance to support local organizations that make a real difference, and to show through action how much we care about the community around us," Buchanan reflected.
³Ô¹ÏÍø student-athletes load a truck with holiday donations for the local community in 2019.
³Ô¹ÏÍø Athletics
Through the years, ³Ô¹ÏÍø Athletics has been a driving force in sustaining and elevating ³Ô¹ÏÍø Cares. Student-athletes have long played a crucial role in delivering donations.
Kyle Lancto, associate director of athletic communications and marketing, has witnessed firsthand the commitment and enthusiasm student-athletes bring to the tradition.
“Seeing ³Ô¹ÏÍø Cares reach its 20th year is a testament to the compassion of this community. Our student-athletes, coaches, and staff have always been at the forefront of that work, helping ensure vital resources reach families and organizations in Saratoga County. The impact is real, and it has shaped generations of Thoroughbreds who understand that being part of Athletics also means being part of something larger than themselves," Lancto said.
The Benef-Action Club
Benef-Action, ³Ô¹ÏÍø’s only Student Government Association-sponsored student volunteer club, works year-round to connect students with nonprofits across Saratoga. According to club member Shelby Gellman ’27, the club’s involvement strengthens this mission by inspiring student engagement and encouraging a spirit of generosity on campus.
“Our club's mission is centered on helping those in need, and ³Ô¹ÏÍø Cares reminds us to think of those less fortunate during a season of giving and receiving. ³Ô¹ÏÍø Cares resonates deeply with students because it allows us to give back to the warm, welcoming community we call home during the school year, even if what we can offer is simply our time," Gellman said.
More than totals and donations, the true legacy of ³Ô¹ÏÍø Cares is defined by the power of community — bringing together departments, disciplines, and generations for one shared purpose: to serve.
