March 17, 2003

State Organization Recognizes VCU/VCUHS 2002 Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign

Contribution Ranks Second Among State Agencies

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By Michael Ford
University News Services

Virginia Commonwealth University and the VCU Health System have been honored collectively with a Special Award as one of five state agencies with the highest giving to the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign.

The CVC is the state's annual giving program that allows employees of all state government agencies to contribute to humanitarian, environmental and health and human services charities.

Judy Granger (left), University Outreach and VCU CVC Vice-Chair and Linda Z. Tillman, Human Resource Division and VCU CVC Co-Chair, accepts VCU's award, one of five given to the top contributing agencies in the Commonwealth. Sara Wilson, Director, State Department of Human Resource Management, looks on. Photo courtesy of State Department of Human Resource Management
Judy Granger (left), University Outreach and VCU CVC Vice-Chair and Linda Z. Tillman, Human Resource Division and VCU CVC Co-Chair, accepts VCU's award, one of five given to the top contributing agencies in the Commonwealth. Sara Wilson, Director, State Department of Human Resource Management, looks on. Photo courtesy of State Department of Human Resource Management

According to CVC statistics filed in late February, VCU and the VCU Health System's combined Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign contributed nearly $258,000, second among all agencies of state government. The average VCU and VCUHS employee gift for the combined 2002 campaign was about $200.

"Our campaign faced a lot of challenges last autumn from the time the state budget shortfall and the recommended agency cuts were announced," said Linda Z. Tillman, co-chair for the VCU/VCUHS CVC. "I'm grateful for the dedication of our campaign vice-chairs and campaign associates, and the employees and students who responded with generosity."

Nearly 1,300 VCU and VCUHS employees contributed to the CVC during the two-month campaign that began Oct. 1, 2002.

"We had about 17 percent of faculty and staff on both campuses contribute this year," said Paul W. Timmreck, senior vice president for finance and administration and VCU CVC chair. "On average, the people who did participate contributed $50 more than last year and that's momentum we want to build on next year. It is this ongoing commitment of faculty, staff and students at VCU and the VCUHS that underscores our reputation as a caring community."

The statewide campaign collected more than $3 million from nearly 103,000 contributing employees. The CVC directs donations to about 1,000 non-profit organizations. Money collected from last fall's campaign will be distributed by the end of April.