COMBINED VIRGINIA CAMPAIGN SETS ITS SIGHTS ON $113,000 GOAL FOR CAMPUS

In the coming weeks, state employees throughout Virginia will have an opportunity to help those less fortunate by contributing to the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC).

Leaders for the Old Dominion portion of the effort are hopeful that the campus community will once again keep the university in the top spot for donations from state agencies in southeastern Virginia.

Last year, the university community topped its $112,000 goal by raising $113,880; the average employee gift was $140.59 and the 44 percent participation rate was up 4 percent over the previous year. This year's campaign goal is set at $113,000.

From now through November, employees will have an opportunity to contribute to one or more of nearly 800 local, regional, national and international nonprofit health and humanitarian service organizations, including United Way of South Hampton Roads.

For those who wish to contribute to relief efforts in support of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the CVC has identified three funds: 3901 - American Red Cross, National Disaster Relief Fund, 3902 - 911 Fund and 3903 - Salvation Army Disaster Relief Effort. No administrative fees will be withheld from these donations.

Pledge cards and organization directories will be distributed in the coming weeks, according to Heather Huling, executive assistant to the vice provost for distance learning, who is in charge of this year's campus campaign.

Other leaders of the campaign are Lou Henry, dean of the Honors College, who is serving as faculty co-chair, and Phyllis Brown, business manager in the College of Sciences, the hourly and classified staff co-chair.

Contributions to the campaign may be made via cash, check or payroll deduction. The minimum contribution accepted via payroll deduction is 50 cents per pay period.

Employees who give $500 or more automatically become Leadership Givers.