State Employees Raise Nearly Half a Million Dollars in Two Weeks for Hurricane Katrina Relief
State Employees Raise Nearly Half a Million Dollars in Two Weeks for Hurricane Katrina Relief
Governor Warner called for the special fund drive as part of the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign
Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that state employees donated $476,888 during a two-week, special fund drive organized for Hurricane Katrina relief. Governor Warner called for the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC), the state employee workplace-giving program, to organize a way for state employees to help Hurricane Katrina victims immediately after the storm.
"Virginians were eager to respond after we saw the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina, and many of our state employees were asked to help as part of their official duties," said Governor Warner. "It made perfect sense to gear up our already successful CVC program to provide all of our state employees with a direct and reliable way to donate to the relief efforts. The fact that state employees were able to raise nearly half a million dollars in just two weeks is a testament to the generosity and quality of Virginia's workforce."
Agencies held bake sales, silent auctions, and other special events to encourage donations to Hurricane Katrina relief. Virginia Commonwealth University Health Systems raised more than $115,000 through a challenge program. Virginia Department of Transportation employees contributed $41,478. The Virginia Community College System raised $28,209, and the Department of Corrections donated $26,156, including $682 contributed by inmates. The Governor's Office and Cabinet members raised $10,338.
The donations will go to the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army, the two charities designated to receive the CVC special fund drive donations.
State employees will still be able to donate to Hurricane Katrina relief, as well as hundreds of other nonprofits and initiatives, through the annual CVC drive, which started October 1 and runs through November. Last year, the annual CVC drive chaired by Governor Warner raised more than $3.5 million in charitable donations, the largest amount ever raised by the employee-run program.
http://www.governor.virginia.gov/Press_Policy/Releases/2005/Oct05/1013b.htm