UMMCares campaign kicks off this week

UMMCares, the University of Mississippi Medical Center's annual service organization donation drive, will run this year from Monday, Nov. 5 through Friday, Nov. 16.

The goal is to raise at least $130,000 for the 13 charities included in the campaign.

Employees are encouraged to give through payroll deduction. Donations will take effect for the 2013 calendar year and are tax-deductible.

This year's campaign once again will include a number of prizes to encourage participation, including a grand prize to be awarded at the end of the campaign. To be eligible to receive a prize, an employee must donate at least $26 - that's $1 for each of the year's 26 pay periods.

The winner of each prize will be determined through a random selection. The sooner in the campaign employees make their donation of $26 or more, the more chances they will have to win a prize (Under IRS rules, the value of the prizes will be reported as income to the recipients).

This year's campaign also will continue the friendly competition between components of UMMC. "Grand Giver" trophies will be presented to the unit that raises the most money and to the unit that records the highest participation (based on a minimum $26 pledge).

Last year, the School of Medicine won the trophy for highest contributions while the School of Health Related Professions won for highest participation. Other competitors included the School of Dentistry, the School of Nursing, University Hospitals including Batson Children's Hospital, and the Service Area.

For more information about the drive or to make a donation, visit

http://www.umc.edu/communitycampaign/.