In recognition of the excellent services provided to Colgate University and the Hamilton community by the Southern Madison County Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Inc. (SOMAC), Colgate recently announced that it has donated $50,000 to its ongoing fundraising campaign.
Phase one of SOMAC’s two-phased campaign raised $70,000 from more than 200 donors in the community and covered the cost of a new ambulance. Colgate’s gift to phase two will help purchase a second ambulance.
“The relationship between Colgate and SOMAC is truly a symbiotic one,” said President Jeffrey Herbst. “Not only does the corps respond to ambulance and safety calls on campus every year, but Colgate students, faculty, and staff also serve as volunteers providing many hours of community service to SOMAC. It is a life-protecting service that we are proud to support both financially and as involved participants.”
In addition to providing indispensable hospital runs for the Colgate community in medical emergencies, SOMAC also provides stand-by services at major events like athletic games, torchlight, reunion, and commencement.
Colgate students play an integral role on the SOMAC roster as part of a recognized volunteer team through the Max Schacknai Center for Outreach, Volunteerism and Education (COVE). Students provide hundreds of hours of community service each year while also gaining meaningful learning experience. In 2012, students received the dean’s Community Service Award for their efforts.
During fiscal year 2012-13, which ended June 30, the total of Colgate contributions to community institutions, services, and events reached $1,053,261. Other recipients of Colgate support include Hamilton Central Schools, town of Hamilton, village of Hamilton, town of Lebanon, Chenango Nursery School, Community Memorial Hospital, Hamilton Fire Department (fire truck and rescue truck), July 4th fireworks, Lake Moraine Association, Partnership for Community Development, Symphony Syracuse performance, and Hamilton International Film Festival.