2010 Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign Asks Employees to ‘Give from the Heart’

By Leila Ugincius

What do animal-assisted therapy, after-school programs and cancer research have in common?

They’re all programs of organizations taking part in this year’s Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign, the state’s workplace-giving venture.

There are a record 12 university-affiliated charities taking part in the campaign, “Give from the Heart,” which runs Oct. 1 through Nov. 30.

To promote camaraderie and compassion, Virginia Commonwealth University and the VCU Health System are hosting kickoff events on both campuses next week. Employees will have the opportunity to mingle with each other, enjoy free ice cream, and learn about some of the VCU-affiliated charities participating in this year’s campaign.

The MCV Campus event will be held Wednesday, Oct. 6, in Main Hospital. The Monroe Park Campus event will be held Thursday, Oct. 7, in the Mary and Frances Youth Center, 120 S. Linden St., home of one of VCU's newest charities, "Lobs & Lessons."

“In these difficult economic times, charitable organizations need our help even more. For that reason, it is important to keep the spirit of giving alive, whether we give of our time or a monetary contribution,” VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D., wrote in an e-mail to faculty and staff. “We can show we care by raising our level of participation.”

Campaign Co-Chair Debbie Fitzgerald acknowledges that the poor economy makes it harder for people to give, but she points out that a little can go a long way.

“The tough economy is tough for the charities too,” Fitzgerald said. “But even giving $2 per pay period is a little amount that helps, but doesn't really hurt. Even in these tough economic times, we are lucky to have jobs and should help those who are facing tough times either through unemployment or other circumstances of this economy.”

University employees are encouraged to donate online using the state’s e-direct system. Health system employees can give online through Employee Self Service, through the intranet at vcuhshr, or through the internet at https://vcuhsra.mcvh-vcu.edu/my.logon.php3?check=1. Cash and check payments also will be accepted.

As in past years, campaign associates from each department will have a list of the nearly 1,300 approved charities participating in this year’s campaign. The list is also available online at http://www.cvc.vipnet.org/charities.htm. CVC charities run the gamut from humanitarian and human service charities to environmental groups.

According to state CVC guidelines, 100 percent of proceeds designated for a charity will go to the charity or charities indicated. For more information on the university and health system combined campaign, visit http://www.vcu.edu/cvc/index.html.

“We are a caring and compassionate academic and health-care community,” Rao said. “Altogether, the generosity of our employees has a significant impact on the campaign.”

VCU-affiliated charities

Association for the Support of Children with Cancer (ASK)
ASK is dedicated to making life better for children with cancer and serious blood disorders by providing emotional, social, spiritual and financial support to children being treated at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond. (code 3281)

Center for Human-Animal Interaction
The Center for Human-Animal Interaction provides animal-assisted therapy and pet visitation at the VCU Medical Center and conducts research and provides education on health benefits of interacting with pets. The center also provides pet-loss support. (code 3087)

Children’s Hospital Foundation
The foundation, which is part of the VCU Health System, supports the hospital in its mission to be a resource and provider of specialized medical and therapeutic services customized to meet the needs of children and their families (code 3622)

The Faison School for Autism
The Faison School provides early intervention and intensive applied behavior analysis therapy to preschool (18 months to 6 years) and school-age children (6 to 22 years) on the autism spectrum. (code 3549)

Hospital Hospitality House
The Hospital Hospitality House provides lodging and nonmedical support in a home-like environment to families seeking specialized medical care at the VCU Medical Center, the veterans hospital and other hospitals in the Richmond area. (code 3709)

Loftis Bereavement Fund
This fund, supported by Patient Counseling Program in the VCU School of Allied Health Professions, provides support to bereaved families and offers education in bereavement care for VCU Medical Center staff and the community. (code 3592)

Massey Cancer Center
The VCU Massey Cancer Center is one of 65 National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers in the U.S. and provides a broad range of cancer-related research, educational activities and health care services. (code 3657)

Pediatric Palliative Care
Pediatric Palliative Care provides services to optimize the quality of care for infants, children, adolescents and their families who face the challenges of living with a life-limiting condition and to integrate palliative care principles and comprehensive pain and symptom management into hospitalwide pediatric clinical care, as well as education for pediatric health care providers. (code 3501)

VCU Lobs & Lessons
Lobs & Lessons is an after-school and summer enrichment program for elementary and middle school-age youth that focuses on character development, a path to higher education and the sport of tennis. (code 3497)

VCU School of Business Foundation
The School of Business Foundation assists, supports and fosters the activities and mission of the VCU School of Business. (code 3033)

VCU-Carver Partnership
The VCU-Carver Partnership provides support and services to enrich the lives of Carver residents, such as tutoring and homework assistance for youth and health and housing resources for adult and senior residents. (code 3513)

Virginia Council on Economic Education
VCEE promotes the economic and financial literacy of Virginia’s K-12 students by training teachers, providing curriculum materials and actively advocating economic education in the commonwealth. (code 3940)