Employees give back to the community through annual Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign

The following is an open letter to Virginia Tech employees from Sherwood G. Wilson, honorary chair of the 2013 Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign.

Dear colleagues,                                                   

I’m pleased, and honored, to serve as the honorary chair of this year’s Commonwealth of Virginia campaign. I firmly believe we have a duty and responsibility, as members of the communities in which we live, to give something back. I am such a strong supporter of the CVC campaign because it sustains those community services which provides the support we all depend on, but often take for granted. 

Thanks to the generosity of our employees last year, we donated a record-breaking $285,294 to charities across the state. I’m confident that your generosity helped thousands of children and adults have a better life.

And, so, as this year’s campaign gets underway, I implore you to find it in your heart to take action – to again make life better for the children and adults in our community. Your gift of just $2 per paycheck would not only help Virginia Tech meets its goal to raise $300,000 this year, it will put food on the table for many families, help abused women and children find a way out of their circumstances and ensure that local rescue squads are able to respond when the 911 call comes in.

And, perhaps one of the best things about the CVC is that you may choose which charity your money goes to, whether it’s around the world, or right here at home.

If you want to help women and their children escape lives of domestic abuse, you may choose the Women's Resource Center of the New River Valley. If you’d prefer to support community programs for young children, you can donate to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia or the local Boy and Girl Scout councils. With the click of a button, you can take a look at the listing of more than 1,000 charities, including those located right here in region one.

Please join me in supporting this year’s CVC. We are all capable of giving something, no matter how large or small the gift may be, to help raise the necessary resources that are so critical to the health and well-being of our fellow Virginians.

If each of our 7,000 employees donates just $2 per paycheck to the CVC we will exceed our $300,000 goal and make an incredible difference in the lives of others. The online CVC Pledge System enables salaried employees to make fast, easy, and secure donations to the CVC via payroll deduction.

While the campaign will go on through Dec. 13, please, consider making your gift today.

Sherwood G. Wilson, Honorary Chair
2013 Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign
and Vice President for Administration