Campus Community Exceeds Goal in Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign

The Old Dominion community surpassed its 2013 Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC) goal in the final days of the fund drive.

Contributions to the statewide charitable campaign closed out at $115,995, putting ODU over the top in its goal to raise at least $115,000.

The annual CVC campaign solicits donations from state agencies throughout Virginia to support local United Way agencies as well as a host of other area, state, national and international charitable organizations.

Nearly 28 percent of ODU employees made contributions as part of the campaign, which officially ended at the close of the fall semester. The average gift was $180.43, an increase over the previous year.

"We wish to thank all of the current and former employees, as well as associate university members, who contributed to their favorite charities during the 2013 campaign," said Karen Meier, assistant vice president for community engagement, who chaired the university's CVC drive. "I am so proud that, once again, the ODU campus community demonstrated a strong showing of support for those in need."

She quoted 19th-century American poet James Russell Lowell in summing up the spirit of the successful campaign: "It is not what we give but what we share, for the gift without the giver is bare."

Meier also offered her thanks to the many university volunteers who helped make the fund drive a success.

Thirty-one out of 80 offices and departments exceeded their individual goals in the campaign. In addition, the President's Area, Human Resources, VP Academic Affairs, Health Sciences, Administration and Finance, and Institutional Advancement surpassed their division-wide goals.

Two associate groups of the university, the Research Foundation and Faculty Emeriti organization, also played a significant role in the success of the campaign, with a combined donation totaling $13,990.

Weekly prize drawings, open to all contributors, were held throughout the campaign.