COMECC surpasses goal of $440,000

by Sarah R. Buchholz, Chronicle staff

lthough the FY2002 Commonwealth of Massachusetts Employees Charitable Campaign (COMECC) fell short of its 50 percent participation goal, it exceeded its monetary goal of $440,000. Approximately 44 percent of campus employees contributed a total of $443,794.92.

     Interim Chancellor Marcellette G. Williams praised the campus for working "its own special magic" for the commonwealth through the campaign. Williams said it was important to her to see the community step up to the challenge of giving at a difficult time.
"You make a difference," she told a group of COMECC volunteers at a celebratory breakfast Feb. 14.

     A number of individuals and groups were recognized for outstanding effort in COMECC fund-raising.

     Acting chief of police Barbara O'Connor, Public Safety clerk III Dede Beach, and lieutenant Thomas O'Donnell organized opportunities for Public Safety staff to learn about Miracle Flights for Kids. The group adopted the charity, which flies sick children who need treatment far from home to places where they can receive care, and O'Connor matched every pledge. As a result, Public Safety saw its participation in COMECC more than triple.

     The Graduate School had a bake sale to raise COMECC money and brought its participation from 53 percent last year to 100 percent this year.

     The Leaders' Circle, a group of staff who each donate at least $500 to COMECC annually, included 363 people this year. They raised nearly $305,000 or 69 percent of the total.

     "It's wonderful to be able to achieve this goal at a time when people are scared," said Leaders' Circle chair Thomas O'Brien, dean of the Isenberg School of Management. "COMECC makes a big difference, and, boy, do we need that difference now."