University of Virginia employees can again support their favorite charities by participating in the 2012 Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign, a workplace-giving program administered by U.Va.’s Community Relations Office. The annual campaign kicks off Monday.

The CVC allows state employees to designate a financial gift to any of approximately 1,300 participating charities. Types of charities include health and human services, animal welfare, environmental conservation and medical research.

U.Va. employees have a long tradition of leading the state in workplace giving. Last year, they donated a record $982,000 to approximately 400 charities, the bulk of which are in the local area.  By returning their red envelopes or pledging online, U.Va. employees can continue this tradition, and give hope to those who most need it, said U.Va. campaign chair Jim Fitzgerald, associate director of the Office of Community Relations.

While there were multiple reasons last year for employees to pull back, to give less,” he said, “U.Va. employees recognized the needs in our community and across the commonwealth and dug deep to help address them.”

Donations can be made online , using a U.Va. computing ID and NetBadge password. Employees may contribute by payroll deduction. “It’s a fast, easy and secure way for University employees to support the causes that matter most to them,” said Lis Christian, CVC administrator in the Office of Community Relations.

Alternately, employees may return their red envelopes to their campaign coordinator who works within their area. When employees designate their gifts to their favorite charities, 100 percent of their gifts go directly to that charity with no overhead or administrative costs, Christian said.

Information about special events planned for the U.Va.’s 2012 campaign will be announced soon. Campaign leaders across Grounds are cautiously optimistic that this could be the year that gifts surpass $1 million dollars, Fitzgerald said.

“The CVC is about helping people,” he said. “Each and every gift, regardless of its size, is vitally important to our area’s charities and those they serve. If we all give what we’re able, together we can truly improve the lives of our friends, our neighbors, in need.”

The 2012 CVC kicks off at U.Va. on Oct. 1.

If you have questions, e-mail uvacvc@virginia.edu.