GREENPORT – The Columbia-Greene Community College Foundation has launched the CoGreene Cares Campaign, designed to help students impacted by Covid-19 stay on track to earn a degree or certificate.

Joan Koweek, executive director of the Columbia-Greene Community College Foundation, explained that a special initiative made possible by an anonymous donor to the State University of New York is offering a $50,000 matching grant to all SUNY campuses between now and Wednesday, July 1.

“This fund has the potential to keep students on track to complete their academic paths and become assets to our communities,” Ms. Koweek said in a press release, adding that anyone may make a contribution to the campaign in any amount, and that gift will be matched on a one-to-one basis once the $50,000 threshold is met. “We have so many students who have lost jobs and are struggling with paying rent, tuition, car insurance, and food, just to name a few obstacles.”

C-GCC President Carlee Drummer, Ph.D., noted that the CoGreene Cares Campaign is launching in conjunction with the international Giving Tuesday Now campaign on Tuesday, May 5, a global day of giving and unity serving as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by Covid-19.

“The college has been presented with an opportunity to help its students in some very meaningful ways, through both the global Giving Tuesday Now initiative and the generosity of SUNY and C-GCC Foundation donors,” she said in the release. “The ripple effect created by this pandemic will continue into the fall semester, if not beyond, and it is incumbent upon us to do what we can to give our students the tools to build a better tomorrow.”

Go to https://donorbox.org/cogreenecares to help match the $50,000 grant – and add $100,000 to the C-GCC Student Emergency Fund – or send a check to C-GCC Foundation, 4400 Route 23, Hudson 12534.

For more information contact that C-GCC Foundation at , or visit SUNYcgcc.edu.