November 13, 1998

The MGH United Way campaign has begun, and employees who make pledges are eligible for a raffle drawing that includes such prizes as a day of earned time, hotel accommodations, movie passes, a month of hospital valet parking and gift certificates to neighborhood restaurants and stores, the MGH General Store and Flower Shop and the Eat Street Café.

Not only can employees win raffle prizes, but more importantly, they can feel good about how their pledges help others in the community. The United Way campaign allocates 70 percent of its contributions toward prevention and early intervention programs for people in low-income communities. Such programs help improve access to medical care for children, educate youth about HIV/AIDS, provide prevention, screening and services for those at risk for cancer and support community-based care for seniors.

For example, last year the United Way served more than 47,000 seniors and 145,000 individuals fighting cancer through community-based health and social service programs.

Pledge cards, accompanying employees' paychecks this week, may be returned to departmental United Way representatives; mailed to Pamela Bingham-Freeman of Community Benefits, CRP-600; or deposited in drop-off boxes located in the Main Lobby, WACC Lobby, Payroll in Clinics 1, the Security Desk at CNY Building 149 and at each of the MGH health centers. Employees also may drop off pledges at United Way information tables, which will be set up Nov. 19 and Dec. 3 in the Central Lobby.

To be eligible for the raffle, employees should turn in their pledge cards no later than Dec. 3 – the day of the last drawing. The first drawing takes place Nov. 19. For more information, call 4-6424.