Final Results: U.Va. Employees Blow Past Goal in Annual CVC Campaign

March 16, 2011 — University of Virginia employees once again demonstrated their concern for the community and continued their tradition of giving through the 2010 Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign.

The final tally, announced last week, shows that employees contributed more than $910,000 through the campaign, the highest total of any state agency and easily surpassing the $725,000 goal set in August.

Held each fall, the CVC is a workplace-giving program that allows state employees to support the charities of their choice in areas such as health and human services, animal welfare and environmental causes. Employees can contribute through check, credit card or payroll deduction and can sign up online.

"What a wonderful attribute of U.Va. employees," said Jim Fitzgerald, associate director of U.Va.'s Community Relations Office and chairman of U.Va.'s 2010 campaign. "When things get tough, we just dig deeper."

Approximately 3,300 individual gifts were received through the campaign, "down a bit" from 2009, Fitzgerald said. "It's important to remember that giving through the CVC represents only a fraction of the total giving of U.Va. employees. Many individuals give directly to their favorite causes."

No administrative or overhead fees are taken from designated CVC gifts and employees can set up convenient payroll deductions, allowing them to contribute more over time.

Statewide, U.Va. employees' donations made up more than 24 percent of the statewide total, which closed at $3.8 million. Since 1999, U.Va. employees have contributed more than $8 million through the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign.

The Charlottesville Free Clinic and area food banks led this year's campaign in donations received – "a testament to the fact that employees understand and are committed to addressing local needs," Fitzgerald said.

The CVC at U.Va. is administered by the University's Office of Community Relations.

Employees wishing to help the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan can access a link to the International Red Cross at U.Va.'s CVC page.

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