Holiday cards, letters to aid CVC

Staff Report

Two U.Va. employees have come up with colorful and creative ways to support the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign while delivering personalized holiday greetings to families, friends and children.

Bonnie Bragg, office manager in Student Financial Services, is creating personalized Santa greetings for children, and Tara Poleski, a receptionist in the University’s Development office, is creating Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa cards. The two employees donate their supplies, charge a small fee for each letter or card, and give the proceeds to a designated charity participating in the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign.

Bragg’s colorful Santa letter, filled with holiday cheer, is printed on glittery holiday stationery. “All people have to do is send me the child’s full name and address and indicate the child’s gender,” said Bragg. “I donate all the materials in creating and mailing the letters.”

For each letter Bragg asks that a $5 check made payable to “CVC” accompany the order. Requests for Santa letters may be mailed to Bragg in Student Financial Services at P. O. Box 400204, or left in “Santa Letter” boxes located at the information desk at the University Hospital, the Student Financial Services Information Desk in Carruthers Hall, the Dean of Students Office at Alderman and McCormick, and in the U.Va. Bookstore.

Poleski’s cards come in several designs in bright, attractive colors. All cards can be personalized. Orders should be placed by Dec. 5, Poleski said. Each card costs $3.

Bragg started the letter-writing effort last year as a fun way to support the CVC. “Last year I mailed about 200 letters, but I got started late in the campaign. This year, I hope to mail lots more. All the proceeds go to help the community through the CVC.”

The Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign is a charitable-giving program that provides state employees with an effective method for helping others. All salaried U.Va. employees have received pledge cards and have until Dec. 3 to make donations to the charities of their choice.

For information, call the CVC Office at 924-3939 or visit the CVC web site at www.virginia.edu/cvc/.

Questions about the Santa letters can be directed to Bragg at 924-4242 or bb6a@virginia.edu. Questions about the holiday cards can be directed to Poleski at 924-7325 or tsp5h@virginia.edu.