University and Health System communities are urged to support VCU groups in 2004 CVC Campaign

By Michael Ford
University News Services

Virginia Commonwealth University and the VCU Health System have launched their combined 2004 Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign, the annual giving program that encourages state employees and others to contribute to charities.

More than 1,100 charities have been approved to participate in the campaign, including five that are affiliated with the university and the health system, including the Loftis Memorial Bereavement Fund, the VCU Foundation – Community Programs (on behalf of the Carver-VCU Partnership), Virginia Mentoring Partnerships, the Hospital Hospitality House and VCU’s Massey Cancer Center.

“If you make a decision to give, I hope you will consider the very worthy organizations that are in need in Richmond and right here at VCU,” said VCU President Dr. Eugene P. Trani, who noted that last year, $32,000 in undesignated gifts from VCU employees went into a general CVC fund that did not necessarily benefit Richmond organizations.

“More than ever before, employees of the university and the health system contributing to the combined campaign have a chance to do good close to home,” said CVC co-chair Deanna Lacy of VCUHS’ human resources department. “Traditionally the Hospital Hospitality House and Massey Cancer Center have been among the top five charities designated by our employees.
“The new charities offer additional opportunities to benefit our patients, our neighbors and to further our mission of service to the community,” she said.

VCU and VCUHS employees have contributed more than $1.5 million to the CVC in the last five years, including a record $366,320 for 2003. Last year’s efforts occurred in the aftermath of Hurricane Isabel and surpassed the amount raised in the months after the terrorist attacks in 2001.

“Following large disasters and national tragedies the employees of VCU and the VCU Health System have been responsive and generous to the needs of others,” said Paul W. Timmreck, VCU’s senior vice president for finance and administration, and chair of the combined CVC. “We have experienced challenges this year too, including the very destructive flash floods last month and the devastating fire this spring that touched our campus and parts of the nearby Carver neighborhood.

“Those are just two examples of areas where our efforts can make a difference,” Timmreck said.

The Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign last year recognized VCU and the VCU Health System for dramatically increasing the amount of money raised in 2003. The combined campaign earned a CVC Special Award from the Virginia Department of Human Resource Management for agencies of state government with more than 1,000 employees that increased the total dollars raised by more than 30 percent.

According to state CVC guidelines, 100 percent of contributions go to the charity or charities indicated. Pledge cards and CVC directories of charitable organizations have been distributed to nearly 11,000 employees on both campuses. Employees may make contributions using cash, check, credit card or payroll deduction. Two hundred university and medical center employees have been designated as campaign associates and have been trained to provide answers about pledge cards, directories and charities. Information about the campaign associate assigned to a specific department may be found at www.pubinfo.vcu.edu/cvc/.

The giving period for the statewide campaign began Oct. 1 and runs through Nov. 30.

VCU organizations participating in 2004 CVC Campaign

• Hospital Hospitality House (Code 3709)
• Loftis Memorial Bereavement Fund (Code 3592)
• Massey Cancer Center (Code 3657)
• VCU Foundation – Community Programs (on behalf of the Carver-VCU Partnership (Code 3513)
• Virginia Mentoring Partnership (Code 3494)