Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign Opens; Weekly Prize Drawings to Be Held
Old Dominion University's participation in the annual Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC) kicked off Oct. 1, with a goal of raising $116,000 by the end of the fall semester.Members of the campus community are being asked for their pledges of support to local United Way agencies as well as a host of other area, state, national and international charitable organizations. "Give from the Heart" is the theme for the campaign.
Last year, ODU employees contributed $118,873 to the CVC. Nearly 700 employees made a contribution, and the average gift was $174.09. This year's volunteer coordinators are hoping for another positive response from the campus community.
"There is no greater way to contribute to your community than through CVC. When you donate to the campaign, you have the opportunity to make a difference for a cause you believe in," said Karen Meier, assistant vice president for community engagement, who heads the ODU campaign.
"Monarch Citizens, the new student-led initiative that instills a culture of pride and responsibility among students, faculty and staff, has parallels to what we're trying to accomplish with the CVC campaign. Through the spirit of giving, our faculty and staff can join the students in becoming model Monarch Citizens and contribute to community betterment."
As an incentive, employees who make a gift (in any amount) in the 2011 campaign will be entered in weekly drawings to win ODU merchandise. The first drawing will be held Oct. 24.
"Each person who has turned in a pledge form will be entered in the drawings from week to week, so the earlier you make your contribution, the more chances you have to win," Meier said. A final grand prize drawing will take place in December.
Prizes for the weekly drawings will include such ODU items as T-shirts and sweatshirts, a pair of tickets to either a 2011-12 men's or women's basketball game, and a pair of tickets to a 2012 football game.
Employees may designate their gift to a specific charity (or multiple charities). With more than 1,300 participating agencies and organizations, there are plenty of choices for employee giving.
The CVC website, www.cvc.vipnet.org, includes a listing of all of the charities.
For more information about the campaign at ODU, call 683-5759.