The 2001 Community Giving at MIT campaign exceeded last year's results with a final total of $392,683 raised from 1,197 donors. Of that total, $298,570 was pledged to the United Way, $84,784 was pledged to the MIT Community Service Fund and the remaining $9,329 to other charities specified by the donor.
"Since the events of Sept. 11 made 2001 an extraordinary year for fundraising, the fact that we exceeded last year's results is remarkable," said campaign chair Kenneth A. Smith, the Edwin R. Gilliland Professor of Chemical Engineering. "I thank all the members of the MIT community who participated in the campaign."
Vital to the success of this year's campaign were the 112 volunteer solicitors who represented departments, labs and centers. "Our solicitors serve as our link to the MIT community; we would not have achieved our results without their efforts. We're also indebted to the campaign steering committee for its leadership and support of new activities during the campaign," said Ted Johnson, director of community services and MIT's charitable campaign manager. Solicitors kicked off the campaign on Halloween with the theme "Giving is Not a Trick, It's a Treat."
"I've been a campaign solicitor for the past two years and it's really rewarding," said Sue Cobb, administrative assistant in the history section. "It's personally fulfilling to make a difference, especially by working towards a bigger cause that can help more people at once."
Solicitors and committee members celebrated the close of the 2001 campaign earlier this month at a reception hosted by Mrs. Rebecca Vest.
MIT Community Giving campaign donations go to local programs and agencies that support children, the disabled, seniors, families, the homeless and victims of domestic violence.
A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on February 27, 2002.
