April 20, 2007  -- The U.Va. Bookstore will be hosting two separate fundraising events to support Virginia Tech’s official memorial fund, the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund.  Donations will be collected at the main U.Va. Bookstore on 400 Emmet Street atop the Central Grounds Parking Garage and across from Newcomb Hall.

After the tragic events of April 16th, David Hamer, a Virginia alum and local orthodontist, contacted the U.Va. Bookstore looking for assistance with the production and distribution of Virginia Tech t-shirts.  The t-shirts provide a means of showing support from U.Va. to the Blacksburg community.  The Bookstore has since developed Dr. Hamer’s idea into a fundraising opportunity and with his encouragement has produced 1000 t-shirts that will be distributed for free at the U.Va. Bookstore starting Monday, April 23.  The t-shirt features the VT logo on the front and the words “Virginia Tech is Family” on the back.  This quotation is from President John Casteen’s letter to U.Va. students, faculty and staff regarding the recent tragedy.  Good-will donations will be taken during the distribution that will go directly to the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund.

The U.Va. Bookstore will also be hosting a Hokie Spirit day at the U.Va. Bookstore, Monday, April 30th.  A percentage of the store’s sales from this day will also be donated to the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund.  We encourage all local residents looking to help support Virginia Tech to join us on this day.

For more information, please contact Jon Kates or Patrick Perkins 434-924-3721.