November 5, 1999

The 1999 MGH United Way campaign kicks off Nov. 10, with the distribution of pledge cards and campaign information through Payroll. Last year, the MGH raised more than $140,000 for the United Way to help benefit the many services and programs funded by the organization.

The percentage of MGH employees who participated in the campaign last year increased by 50 percent. The overwhelming increase in employee participation resulted in an increase of 27 percent in funds raised from the previous year.

This year's campaign promises to be even bigger and better, according to Patrick Jordan, administrative director of MGH Radiology and chair of this year's United Way campaign. "MGH employees have traditionally been very generous in the annual United Way campaign," says Jordan. "As members of a charitable organization, they see this as an opportunity to give back to the community and, in many cases, directly to our own patients."

Because of the success of last year's campaign, the MGH was one of the few organizations to receive the United Way's Presidents Award, which is given to organizations that increase employee participation and donations by 10 percent or more.

The MGH Social Services Department also received $14,000 from the United Way through the Partners in Caring program. Through this program, hospitals that increase their United Way contribution by at least 4 percent receive half of the increase back from the United Way to donate to the hospital's social services.

Look for more information about the United Way campaign in upcoming issues of Hotline. For more information about the campaign, call Kathy Conners or Jordan at 6-1667.