In the spirit of Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech employees have been asked to help others in the community by increasing their giving to the statewide Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign.

In 2015, more than 1,575 employees donated $319,644, increasing the previous year’s total by more than $1,000. This year's goal is $325,000. The 2016 campaign kicked off on Sept. 15 and continues through Dec. 12.

“Giving to the CVC is an excellent way for us all to embody the Virginia Tech motto by serving others,” said Kevin L. Foust, chief of police and director of security. Foust is the honorary chair of the 2016 campaign.

Employees may make a tax-deductible gift online through payroll deduction or via paper pledge form and may choose to designate their gift to any of the more than 1,000 participating charities. Types of charities include health and human services, animal welfare, environmental conservation, and medical research. Employees can make individual gifts or come together in departments and offices across the university to host events and activities to raise funds for the campaign.

Signs will be placed on West Campus Drive, Southgate Drive, Alumni Mall, and Perry Street on the university's Blacksburg, Virginia, campus to mark the campaigns progress. The signs and the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign website will be updated regularly to show the total dollars raised to date.

Since 2010, Virginia Tech employees have donated more than $1.7 million to hundreds of local organizations through the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign.

The organizations receiving the most support from Virginia Tech employees in 2015 included the Free Clinic of the New River Valley, the Montgomery County Emergency Assistance Program, and the United Way of Montgomery, Radford, and Floyd. Hundreds of other organizations received donations as well.

The Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign at Virginia Tech is administered by the university’s Department of Human Resources with the help of a steering team of employees from across the university.

Written by Katie Huger, employee communications manager.

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