Dear Friends and Colleagues,

I am writing to let you know that the Maryland Charity Campaign (MCC) is being extended through the month of January in a final effort by all state agencies to maximize donations at a time of escalating needs.

To University campaign chair Dave DeLooze, those who have helped him with the campaign, and all of you who have made a donation, I offer my profound thanks.

Our challenging economic climate does not make it easy. Unfortunately, the needs are also unrelenting—and unusual. The people who are coming in droves to seek assistance from our strapped nonprofit organizations are those who recently were employed and were self-sufficient just a short time ago, but now have lost their job, home, and life savings.

It's long been said that many Americans are just two paychecks away from poverty. Some of those seeking assistance know this all too well.

So if you haven't made a donation to the MCC or would like to increase your commitment, we have an extra month to contact Mr. DeLooze at ddelooze@af.umaryland.edu or 410-706-7569. Please know that you can specify which of the hundreds of agencies you choose to benefit from your gift.

Thank you for your consideration and your generosity.

Sincerely,

Jay A. Perman, MD
President