CVC Fund Drive Closes in on 50 Percent Mark

Old Dominion University is just a few percentage points away from reaching the midway mark in its Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC) goal, and organizers are hopeful that the final donations that come in between now and the end of the fall semester will put the campus community at or above its $130,000 goal.

A number of giving units have already completed their individual fund drives, and the following have reported 100 percent participation by their employees: Human Resources, University Publications, Humanities, Budget Office and Vice President for Administration and Finance Area.

"I am certainly proud of the employees in these areas for stepping up and getting their donations in early, but overall, donations have been coming in a bit slower than last year," said Karen Travis, assistant vice president for institutional advancement, who heads the campus-wide campaign. "I am optimistic that donations will pick up in the weeks ahead.

"I know these are tough economic times for many of us, but we need to keep in mind that the people who benefit from charitable giving are struggling, too, and can use this help now more than ever," Travis added.

The campaign, in fact, benefits more than 1,300 of local, regional, national and international charitable organizations, including area United Way agencies, and donors can target their gift to one or more organizations. Donations may be made via payroll deduction.

Last year, 837 ODU employees contributed $140,543 to the CVC (8.11 percent above the $130,000 target), and the average gift was $168. Thus far this year, 348 employees have made their contributions.

For more information about the campaign, and to see how gifts can make a difference in the lives of others, visit the CVC Web site

at www.cvc.vipnet.org/donors/directorylist.htm.