Dec. 10, 2007 — To make it easier to help those in need as the holidays approach, U.Va.’s Community Relations Office has extended the deadline for participating in the 2007 Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign to 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 14. 

“Through the CVC, employees can give hope to friends, neighbors and the community,” said Jim Fitzgerald, assistant director of community relations and co-chair of the annual workplace-giving program, through which state employees donate to charities of their choice.

When employees designate their gifts, 100 percent goes to the charities they choose. “Giving just $2 per pay check can dramatically improve lives. That amount can provide two weeks of meals for the hungry through Meals on Wheels, medicine for six cats at the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA, or a year of diabetes medication at the Charlottesville Free Clinic,” Fitzgerald noted.

To date, U.Va. employees have donated $623,223.13 through the 2007 CVC. Employees have until this Friday to exceed the $815,000 total donated last year.
 
“Employee donations through the CVC significantly enhance the budgets of many vital area charities,” says Larry Sabato, the 2007 CVC Honorary Chair. “The CVC is the perfect opportunity for each one of us to give back to our community, in whatever ways we think best. When we all work together and contribute what we can, we can move mountains for our fellow citizens in need — and even for our animal friends.”

Employees can pledge online at www.virginia.edu/cvc or obtain pledge cards by contacting uvacvc@virginia.edu or 924-1321.