Virginia Tech began its 2004 Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC) Oct. 1 with the goal of raising $218,000 with 18 percent participation by salaried, regular wage, and full-time employees.

The CVC is the annual giving campaign that allows employees of the Commonwealth of Virginia to give back to their communities. Last year, Virginia Tech raised more than $213,000 and had a participation rate of 14 percent.

After just three weeks, Virginia Tech has collected almost $125,000 with 7.7 percent of employees participating thus far.

With the contributions collected for the campaign, a portion of the total stays in the New River Valley area. With donations from last year:

115 people received medical transportation from NRV Senior Services.

158 local children received new school clothing and necessities through Radford Clothing Bank's August Kids Program.

60 homeless families received shelter and support services from New River Family Shelter.

Approximately 70 local people received emergency home repairs through a Community Housing Partners program funded by United Way.

For the 2004 campaign, Virginia Tech employees can donate by filling out pre-printed pledge cards. However, if a pledge card is needed, contact Terri Tishman at 231-6727 or ttishman@vt.edu.

A prize, donated by various colleges and programs at Virginia Tech, will be given out each week to one employee who has completed and returned a pledge card.

Some of the items winners of the drawings will receive are: Men's and Women's Basketball tickets, a Virginia Tech stadium seat with blanket, a Virginia Tech cooler on wheels, a pet exam from the College of Vet Med., lunch for two at Donaldson Brown and a one semester parking pass.

Donations must be received by Nov. 30, 2004. For further information, visit http://www.uld.vt.edu/CVC/index.html.

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