The 2002 Community Giving at MIT campaign kicks off tomorrow (Thursday, Oct. 31), when volunteer representatives from MIT departments will distribute information to employees at parking garages and other sites around campus.
The Halloween kick-off theme is "Giving is not a trick, it's a treat! Support the Community Giving at MIT Campaign."
The Institute's annual charitable giving campaign focuses on charities funded by the United Way of Massachusetts Bay, the MIT Community Service Fund (CSF), and other local health and human service agencies. Members of the MIT community are encouraged to make contributions to help organizations whose work they feel is most critical. Donations support local programs and agencies that help children, families, elders, the disabled, victims of domestic violence, and the homeless.
The campaign committee hopes to raise $400,000 this year. Campaign chair Kenneth A. Smith, professor of chemical engineering, emphasized the importance of increasing the number of employees who contribute.
Donors can contribute to United Way agencies, the CSF (which supports several Cambridge charitable organizations), or other local 501(c)(3) human-services agencies of their choice through payroll deductions, personal check, credit card or securities.
Personalized pledge form packets will be sent to all MIT employees via interdepartmental mail. The campaign committee encourages people to complete and return the forms to their department representatives as soon as possible, or to send them directly to campaign headquarters in Room 50-005. A list of representatives is on the Community Giving web site.
During the campaign, various events will be held, including a book fair on Dec. 3. A portion of proceeds from that event will be donated to the United Way and the CSF. The campaign's annual clothing drive will be held in mid-December. Future articles in MIT Tech Talk will provide more information about these events.
Anyone with questions about the Community Giving at MIT campaign can contact Ted Johnson, charitable campaign manager, at tej@mit.edu, or Traci Swartz at tswartz@mit.edu or 253-7914.
A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on October 30, 2002.
