UVA employees may be feeling the pinch of the financial crisis this holiday season.
UVA Today reports that with only one week left into the 2010 Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign, a giving campaign that supports local charities with UVA employees’ contributions, the funds raised total $452,000—less than half of the $946,000 that was raised last year, and shy of this year’s $725,000 goal. The campaign runs through December 10.
"We know that times are tight all around. But the message this year is the same as in the past: When we all give just a little, collectively, we significantly impact the lives of our neighbors in need," said Jim Fitzgerald, chair of the campaign and associate director of the Office of Community Relations, in the article.
This year, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell decided to spend about $82 million of the state’s budget surplus on a one-time bonus for all state employees. On December 1, employees received the bonus that equaled to 3 percent of their annual salary.