October 22, 2004

Everyone has the power: MGH United Way campaign begins

While the fall season brings colorful tree foliage and cool, crisp weather, this time of year also marks the beginning of the MGH United Way campaign. Employees and staff celebrated the campaign kickoff Oct. 18 with a special event under the Bulfinch Tent, featuring an autumn theme with colorful leaves and pumpkins decorating tables overflowing with baskets of snacks and bowls of apple cider.

Speakers included co-chairs of the United Way committee - Ed Raeke, director of Materials Management, and Joseph Vacanti, MD, chief of Pediatric Surgery - along with Peter L. Slavin, MD, president of the MGH, and Milton Little, president and CEO of the United Way of Massachusetts Bay.

"Our mission at the MGH is to provide the highest quality of patient care, but it also is our responsibility to give back to the communities we serve. We do this each year through the United Way campaign," said Slavin. "We are proud to partner again with the United Way to help those who are most in need."

Slavin also unveiled the United Way poster series that features five MGH employees who donate to the United Way: Alasdair Conn, MD, of MGH Emergency Services, Ginger Capasso, RN, PhD, of MGH Nursing (at right), Carlos Rivera of Environmental Services, Candace Burns of Community Benefits and Diana Lo of MGH Research. The posters feature this year's slogan "You've got the power."

All proceeds raised by the campaign go to the United Way of Massachusetts Bay, one of 1,400 locally governed and independently operated United Way organizations.

United Way supports a network of human service agencies whose work aligns with the organization's goals. This year, United Way is focusing its educational, financial and volunteer efforts in four areas: child development, increasing youth opportunities, employment development and affordable housing.

MGHers can make their United Way pledges electronically by visiting http://is.partners.org/hr/affiliates/mgh/United_Way/emailpledge.doc. Paper pledge cards can be submitted to any of the United Way drop boxes located throughout the hospital. All employees who donate will be eligible for weekly raffle prizes. Upcoming issues of Hotline will have more information about the campaign.