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VTA Employees Donate $10K to Haiti Relief Fund
Despite Economic Downturn VTA Employees Help Earthquake Victims
| Release Number: | 10 03 02 |
| Release Date: | Mar 05, 2010 |
San Jose, Calif. – Santa Clara Valley Transportation Agency (VTA) representatives today presented donations from VTA employees totaling over $10,000 to Red Cross and UNICEF for Haitian earthquake relief efforts. The agency-wide campaign garnered donations from all four of VTA’s Operating Divisions, as well as from various administrative locations.
Margaret Abe-Koga, City of Mountain View Council Member and VTA board of directors vice-chair, spoke at the event, held Thursday morning at VTA’s administrative offices in North San Jose.
“These are tough times and everyone is struggling. It’s heartwarming to know VTA employees were willing to dig deep into their pockets to help the people of Haiti. It makes me proud to be a part of this organization,” Abe-Koga said after the brief ceremony marking the donation.
“Whenever a disaster hits, I know I can get a call from VTA offering to help,” said Pilar L. Furlong, Vice President of Public Support, American Red Cross, Silicon Valley Chapter.
When the magnitude of the January 12, 2010 Haitian earthquake became apparent, VTA employees Camille Williams and Jackie Adams, with the encouragement of VTA General Manager Michael T. Burns, organized the Haiti Employee Giving Campaign and recruited volunteer coordinators for each VTA work site. “This giving campaign was a grassroots effort,” said Burns. “Our employees reached deep into their own pockets to help others in another part of the world despite the recession.”
During the drive, VTA employees were able to sign up to have donations taken directly out of their paycheck. Altogether, over 170 employees donated money to the fund drive.
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About VTA
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district that provides sustainable, accessible, community-focused transportation options that are innovative, environmentally responsible, and promote the vitality of our region. VTA is responsible for bus, light rail and paratransit operations and also serves as the county’s congestion management agency. As such, VTA is responsible for countywide transportation planning, including congestion management issues, specific highway improvement projects, pedestrian and bicycle improvement projects, and provides these services throughout the county, including the municipalities of Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga and Sunnyvale. VTA continually builds partnerships to deliver transportation solutions that meet the evolving mobility needs of Santa Clara County.
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