'Heart of UCSF' Charitable Giving Campaign

By Lisa Cisneros

Whether driving a campus shuttle or caring for patients, members of the UCSF campus contribute daily to a mission dedicated to improving public health.

The campus's help is again needed in another way - through personal gifts to this year's Charitable Giving Campaign, which runs from October 24 through November 4 under the theme "Heart of UCSF."

Those who will benefit from the generosity of the campus community are people in the community who have received financial support in the past or who are in need for the first time. Beneficiaries might be a family in desperate need of clothing or basic dental care, or a socially isolated senior in need of human contact. As in years past, UCSF faculty and staff have numerous choices of worthy organizations to which to donate. Each of the four federations, as well as UCSF and UCSF Medical Center programs, participating in the Charitable Giving Campaign provides a valuable service to its respective community. The federations serve as umbrella agencies that assist nonprofit organizations in raising funds and awareness to support their programs. The four distinct federations are: Bay Area Black United Fund, Community Health Charities, Earth Share of California and United Way of the Bay Area. As always, employees can also designate that their donation be directed to any UCSF or UCSF Medical Center program. Campus and medical center employees will receive their campaign packets through campus mail. The packet will include "The Heart of UCSF" campaign brochure with a complete listing of federations and their agencies, plus a contribution form. While all participating agencies and federations have an established track record of service, the campaign encourages donations to any tax-exempt organization, school or church. To contribute to an agency not listed in the campaign brochure, employees should write in the exact name and address of their specified agency or organization on the contribution form. Employees are encouraged to return their contribution forms as soon as possible. Checks should be made payable to the 2005 Charitable Giving Campaign. Employees have the option of donating by onetime check contribution or payroll deduction. For more information regarding the Charitable Giving Campaign, please call Sandi Gettys, UCSF campaign coordinator, at 415/476-3438. Source: Lisa Cisneros