The Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC) is the tool that facilitates state employee workplace giving. It is a voluntary employee charitable giving program, which raises funds for numerous nonprofit health and humanitarian organizations throughout the state of Virginia. Since 1997, employees have donated more than $31.8 million to participating non-profit organizations through CVC!

Visit www.cvc.virginia.gov to donate. Click on the GIVE NOW button for online giving. Pledge your CVC donation online between Oct. 1 to 15 and you will be automatically entered to win four one-day park hopper passes to Disney World! Passes give admission to all of these theme parks for one day: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. Passes are valid until Aug. 1, 2016, and are valued at $496. A winner will be randomly selected via the online giving donors list after Oct. 15. CVC will notify the winner directly. For a directory of CVC charities to pledge your donation online, visit www.cvc.virginia.gov. For questions, email CVCStaff@dhrm.virginia.gov. The University of Mary Washington agency code is 215.

More than 1,000 charities participate in CVC’s annual campaign, which runs from Oct. 1 through December each year. Employees may designate their gift to a specific charity or multiple charities within the program by giving a one-time donation or through payroll deduction. You can also participate in CVC through direct giving. In fact, chances are you’ve already made a donation to a participating CVC charity. Simply look the charity up at www.cvc.virginia.gov; if you see your charity listed, just forward a copy of the receipt to Lori Izykowski at lizykows@umw.edu or by campus mail to the JAEC, and I’ll be sure your donation gets credited to the UMW giving total. It is important to note that each donation will also help the charity meet their minimum designation to be included in the CVC the next year. CVC also coordinates Special Funds Drives in times of emergencies, resulting in thousands of dollars in aid. CVC sends 100% of each designated gift to the organization selected by the employee. No overhead or operating fees are deducted by CVC.

Why Give to the CVC?

1. All charities participating in the CVC have been pre-screened to ensure that they are fiscally sound and that they perform the services stated.
2. Payroll deduction allows you to budget your contribution throughout the year through regular automated giving.
3. 100% of your designated contribution goes to the charity or charities stated. No administrative fees are taken by the CVC on designated contributions through workplace giving.
4. Giving through the CVC minimizes the intrusive personal solicitation that might occur if you participate in multiple direct fundraising drives. While we have no control over the solicitation calls at home from charities, state employees should not be solicited by non-profits at work sites.
5. The CVC operates for and by state employees under the Executive Order of the Governor (#26-2010).
6. There are many opportunities to give. The CVC accepts contributions from employees via cash, check, payroll deduction, stock or credit card gifts.

The 2014 Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign officially starts October 1, but you can begin pledging and submitting receipts for any qualified charitable donations right away.  And to kick things off, CVC is sponsoring the following drawing:

Pledge your CVC donation online between October 1 to 15 and you will be automatically entered to win 4 one-day park hopper passes to Disney World! Passes give admission to all of these theme parks for one day: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. Passes are valid until August 1, 2016, and are valued at $496.

A winner will be randomly selected via the online giving donors list after October 15. CVC will notify the winner directly. For a directory of CVC charities to pledge your donation online, visit www.cvc.virginia.gov. For questions, email CVCStaff@dhrm.virginia.gov. The University of Mary Washington agency code is 215.

Lori Izykowski, UMW CVC Coordinator, lizykows@umw.edu

CVC 2013 is quickly coming to a close.  With all that goes on at this time of year, it is very possible that you have planned to pledge and just not gotten around to it yet.  If you need any information with regard to pledging for this year’s campaign, contact your ambassador or me and we will get you the information you need.  Here is one more charity spotlight:

Crossroads to Brain Injury Recovery, Inc.

Like the 1.7 million Americans who are affected by brain injury each year, this client sustained a brain injury that affects him physically and cognitively. “I had trouble speaking,” he says. “I had to talk completely slowly. I had to keep reminding myself how to talk slowly.”

This client currently lives with his mother, and it is his dream to live on his own. The client became aware of Crossroads only recently even though he sustained his brain injury as a small child. He had been struggling most of his life with the effects of his injury. Now, with the help of his case manager, he has been setting his own goals and moving toward the independence he desires. Together, the client and Crossroads have worked on life skills such as cooking, using assistive technology, managing money, housekeeping, and taking medications accurately.

The client is now enrolled in classes to obtain his GED. He enjoys frequent trips to the library to borrow books and use the computer. He likes being able to take care of himself, but he doesn’t know where he will be in five years. “Probably driving,” he says. “That’s one of my goals is to learn to drive, and probably living on my own.”

Crossroads to Brain Injury Recovery will continue to partner, support and guide the client as he works at increasing his independence. “They are doing a great job!” he says.

CVC Code 5913

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Please remember these deadlines that are quickly approaching:

Dec. 18 – Last day to submit EDIRECT PAYROLL DEDUCTION ENTRIES.

Jan. 18 – Last day to submit EDIRECT CREDIT CARD ENTRIES

Dec. 31 (midnight) – Last day to submit EDIRECT Credit Card Gifts for credit to 2013 tax returns.

Thank you all for your support and participation in the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign.  Because of your donations, good things can continue to happen for those in need.

Fredericksburg Area Food Bank

Programs

For Children

Our children must be well-fed and focused to succeed. We’re working with local schools and youth programs to help put an end to child hunger in our community. Learn more >>>

For Families

There are more than 30,000 people living in poverty within our community, thousands more are classified as working poor; living just above the poverty line. Through a network of Partner Agencies and Programs, we’re working to help.Learn more >>>

For Seniors

The low-income elderly and disabled often have special needs that make it difficult for them to budget enough funds for food. Often rent, mortgage, utility or medical bills take precedence in the monthly budget. Learn more >>

Healthy Eating

The Community Garden program provides a local supply of healthy vegetables throughout the growing season, increasing the nutrition of food provided to families in need. Learn more >>>