CVC campaign goes green

By Leila Ugincius

As Virginia Commonwealth University and the VCU Health System get ready to launch their combined Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign for 2009, there are reminders every day of how much the state’s charitable organizations need help. Virginia’s unemployment rate is up 68 percent from last year, according to the Virginia Employment Commission. And charitable contributions are down.

But state employees have always given generously, even in lean years, and the university and health system campaign directors hope this year will be no different.

“We at VCU are lucky to have jobs, so I hope employees will embrace the campaign this year and provide what they can to help others who are in need in our community,” said Debbie Fitzgerald of VCU Human Resources, who is co-chairing the campaign with Marie Greenwood of VCU Health System Human Resources. “With the online donation, it's easy.”

Running from Oct. 1 through Nov. 30, this year’s campaign is saving green by going green. To comply with VCU’s Year of the Environment and Gov. Tim Kaine's "Renew Virginia" initiative, VCU is conducting an online campaign. Instead of the now familiar bright red packets employees have received in the past, this year employees can expect to see an e-mail from VCU President Michael Rao.

Employees are encouraged to donate online using the state’s electronic pledge system. Those wishing to make a cash or check payment can still do so by contacting their campaign associate.

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.

Eleven of this year's participating charities are affiliated with VCU. For the complete list, visit http://www.vcu.edu/cvc/news.html.

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.