October 29, 2004

Raeke, left, along with Bill Banchiere from the MGH United Way committee, congratulates Viera.

Big winners in United Way kickoff raffle

Nancy Vieira of MGH Pathology still can't believe she won a 50-inch, high-definition TV as part of the MGH United Way campaign's kickoff raffle. "I was so shocked when I got the call," she said. "I didn't even realize there were prizes. I just always give to the United Way."

And David Foley, who works at the Main Lobby information desk, couldn't have been happier about winning the autographed Tom Brady Patriots jersey. As an avid sports fan and collector of sports memorabilia, Foley is thrilled to add the jersey to his collection. Vieira and Foley were among more than 800 employees who made their United Way donations, raising an astounding $153,000 during the first week of the campaign.

More prizes will be raffled off during the next three weeks of the campaign, including eight hours of earned time donated by Human Resources, one month of free parking or a T pass donated by MGH Police, Security and Outside Services, and many more prizes. To be eligible for the weekly raffle drawings, MGH employees and staff must submit their United Way pledge cards by e-mail from http://is.partners.org/hr/affiliates/mgh/united_way/emailpledge.doc; or by paper to any of the United Way drop boxes located throughout the hospital, at CNY and the health centers; or electronically through PeopleSoft Employee Self Service at http://is.partners.org/hr/affiliates/mgh/united_way/ESS.doc.

Most important, the real winners are those who benefit from the many United Way-affiliated programs and services. For example:

• A $1-per-week donation can provide three hot meals to 11 hungry people.
• A $10-per-week donation provides 10 education classes for parents of children at risk of abuse.
• A $25-per-week donation provides a teen with a mentoring relationship for a year.
• A $50-per-week donation provides a young girl with science, math and technology educational materials.
• A $100-per-week donation provides 10 women with legal advocates to help overcome domestic violence issues.

"Our slogan this year is 'You've got the power' to remind all of our employees and staff that they have the power to make a difference with a donation - large or small - to United Way," says Ed Raeke, co-chair of this year's United Way committee. "I am confident that we will be able to surpass last year's fundraising total of $235,000 and achieve this year's goal of $250,000."

For more information or questions, send e-mail to mghuwc@partners.org.

Foley, left, and Raeke.