Employees from Virginia Tech have raised more than $285,000 in funds for the 2012 Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign. Tech employees made individual gifts toward the program that will benefit participating charities in health and human services, animal welfare, environmental conservation and medical research.

Here is the press release from Virginia Tech.

BLACKSBURG, Va., Jan. 16, 2013 – For the fourth consecutive year, Virginia Tech employees have demonstrated their commitment to serve others, stepping up their charitable giving yet again.

More than 1,400 employees donated to the 2012 Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign, raising a total of $285,294. Employees made individual gifts and came together in departments and offices across the university to host various fundraisers and activities to raise funds for the campaign as well.

Administered by the university’s Department of Human Resources, the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign is a workplace-giving program that allows state employees to designate a financial gift to any of more than 1,300 participating charities. Types of charities include health and human services, animal welfare, environmental conservation and medical research.

“Once again, the Hokie Nation has demonstrated that Ut Prosim (That I May Serve) isn’t just Virginia Tech’s motto, it’s our way of life,” said Alan Grant, 2012 Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign honorary chair and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences dean.

“Giving to others is what Virginia Tech’s mission calls us to do,” said Patty Perillo, vice president for student affairs. Donating to the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign is one of the ways we honor our university’s land grant history and demonstrate our commitment to service, she said.

In the last four years, employees have donated a combined total of nearly $1 million.

“Giving back to the community is simply about doing what’s right,” according to Virginia Tech’s new Head Men’s Basketball Coach James Johnson.

“There are so many people in need in our community,” said Carol Bishop, business operations coordinator in the Department of Human Resources and campaign coordinator. “And, it seems like there’s a new crisis or a tragedy every day that puts more people in need. You never know when that might be us.”

Learn more about a few of the employees who give to the campaign each year.