VCU and VCU Health System Employees Contribute Record Amount to the 2004 Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign

By Michael Ford
University News Services

Virginia Commonwealth University and VCU Health System employees have contributed a record $437,340 to their combined 2004 Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign.

The CVC is an annual giving program that encourages Virginia state employees to contribute to humanitarian, environmental and health- and-human service charities. The statewide campaign began Oct. 1 and was extended to mid-December.

Contributions from both campuses increased more than 19 percent for 2004, eclipsing the record from the previous year by $71,020.

“I am very proud of the employees of VCU and the VCU Health System, who have once again demonstrated generosity and leadership,” said Paul W. Timmreck, VCU’s senior vice president for finance and administration and chair of the VCU and VCUHS combined campaign. “Our collective contributions will empower numerous CVC charities and service organizations to continue important work here in Central Virginia and throughout the Commonwealth.”

University and health system employees also set a record for participation. For the current combined campaign 3,530 employees returned pledge cards, compared with 3,380 employees in 2003, when $366,320 was collected.

“One of our goals last fall was to increase participation and we did that by nearly 5 percent,” said Deanna Lacy, Human Resources, VCU Health System and CVC co-chair. “Congratulations to the employees of VCU and the VCU Health System who have taken the time to make a difference in the communities where we live and work.”

More than 1,100 charities participate in the CVC, including five that are connected to the university and the health system. The Loftis Memorial Bereavement Fund, VCU Foundation Community Programs and Virginia Mentoring Partnerships this year joined the Hospital Hospitality House and VCU’s Massey Cancer Center as CVC-approved charities.

“This very successful campaign proves what caring and committed people can accomplish when they work together,” said Linda Z. Tillman, VCU Human Resource Division and CVC co-chair. “Nearly 250 people volunteered as campaign associates or campaign vice chairs and reached out to interact with thousands of their co-workers. We can all be proud of what we’ve accomplished.”

The successful combined campaign can be traced to three main contributing sources. Employee pledge cards account for nearly $337,210, more than three-fourths of the total. The Heart Walk added $53,900, and the annual Gurney Tourney provided a $46,230 boost.

This is the second year in a row that employee contributions have resulted in a record-setting total for the VCU and VCUHS combined campaign, which has been a pacesetter in the Commonwealth, ranking second among all agencies for the past four years.

In the past six years, employees of VCU and the VCU Health System have contributed nearly $2 million dollars to the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign.