With the last few pledges just in for the 2013 Commonwealth of Massachusetts Employee Charitable Campaign (COMECC), the results are a clear indication of the level of commitment that students and employees of UMass Medical School feel for their communities. Once again, the UMMS community has shown great generosity.
UMMS is an essential contributor to a campaign that involves all employees of the commonwealth and raises more than $1.5 million a year. Pledges from members of the UMMS community accounted for nearly a quarter of the total funds raised in the 2013 campaign.
“This year is on track for growth,” said Emily Gilmore, who runs the statewide COMECC campaign. “The local charities that COMECC supports appreciate every dollar, especially since it is money that they can count on year after year. The charities support needy children, animals, veterans, those with special medical conditions and the homeless, among others. The needs of the local nonprofits are shifting and increasing and each year the campaign grows with local nonprofits, and UMMS’ participation has grownin response! UMMS has raised enough to be almost 25 percent of the total campaign monies raised and continues to be the biggest single contributor year after year. Thank you for all of your generosity!”
The United Way of Central Mass is one of the biggest beneficiaries of the generous contributions made by the UMMS community and President and CEO Timothy Garvin is grateful for the support.
“On behalf of the United Way of Central Massachusetts, and the entire central Massachusetts community—we are overwhelmed by the generosity of the employees of UMass Medical School. Quite simply, your contributions build lives,” said Garvin. “They allow for our children to have high quality early education experiences; they provide scholarship so that children may attend wonderful summer camps; they fund important basic needs such as fuel and food and shelter; they give needed funds for enrichment in arts and culture and our livable environment. We are humbled by your efforts; we applaud your generosity. We are so thankful that UMass Medical School—our medical school—is a vital part of our community!”
“Thank you to everyone who participated in the annual COMECC campaign,” said James Leary, vice chancellor for government and community relations. “Because of your generosity, we have reached our goal and increased donations over last year. To date, UMMS employees have pledged nearly $350,000.”
