The following is an open letter to Virginia Tech employees from Robert Sumichrast, dean of the Pamplin College of Business and honorary chair of the 2014 Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign.

Dear colleagues,

Many of us are looking forward to the upcoming holidays. As we make plans to visit family and friends, exchange gifts, and enjoy good meals in warm and safe surroundings, please also take a moment to support those less fortunate.

Participating in the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign is an easy way to do that. The campaign helps organizations that are making a difference in your community and beyond, whether it is helping abused women and children, protecting our natural resources and environment, building homes for the disadvantaged, aiding military veterans, or reaching out to refugees.

We have only a few days left until the end of our campaign, and we are still short of our goal. As of Dec. 10, we have raised 85 percent ($278,205) of our $325,000 goal, with 1,362 of our nearly 8,000 salaried employees participating.

Making a contribution is simple with our online pledge system. In minutes, you can make a tax-deductible gift that can be paid through payroll deduction. You can select which of the more than 1,000 charities you’d like to help, or you can donate to the general fund.

Please support your local or global community — your donation, no matter how modest, will make a difference.

Robert T. Sumichrast
Honorary Chair, 2014 Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign
Dean, Pamplin College of Business

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