The impact of charitable pledges from employees at UMass Medical School will soon reach near and far, as the campaign strives to achieve the ambitious goal of raising $400,000 for the 2014 Commonwealth of Massachusetts Employees Charitable Campaign (COMECC).
The statewide campaign, which runs through Nov. 26, allows UMMS employees to direct their contributions to any of more than 1,000 screened local, regional, national and international nonprofits dedicated to supporting a wide range of needs. UMMS has traditionally been among the leading sources of donations to COMECC. Last year, contributions from UMMS employees comprised nearly 25 percent of the total amount raised.
Anna Ucher, a research associate in the Department of Microbiology & Physiological Systems, has supported COMECC for a decade. “I care about those in need. In my years of giving I helped World Wildlife organization, cancer charities and environmental institutions. I like to make a difference whenever I can,” Ucher said.
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| Regino Mercado-Lubo, MD, is among the many who contribute to COMECC. |
Regino Mercado-Lubo, MD, a postdoctoral fellow, has supported a variety of charities—ranging from cancer research to refugee advocacy and Catholic Charities—via COMECC for the past six years, noting that he has “personally witnessed” how many of these organizations serve the local community.
Employees can donate by completing a simple form provided by their department’s COMECC team leader, or online. Employee ID numbers are required to pledge online, and can be found on pay advices at the HR Direct website.
COMECC is the only authorized payroll deduction workplace solicitation for state employees. Pledges are tax deductible and less than 10 percent of all contributions are allocated to fundraising and administrative costs.
All employees who donate will be entered into a raffle for prizes including gift cards, a month of free parking and an iPad mini.
Employees are also encouraged to participate in the “Dare to Care” COMECC photo caption raffle.
