Despite the rain, VT police officers run for a cause

BLACKSBURG (WSLS 10) - While many are trying to avoid the rain, about a dozen Virginia Tech police officers were out running in it for a good cause. The group will be running for a total of 24 hours to help shine light on the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign.

"We're a little bit crazy for being out here today," chuckled Chief Kevin Foust, the director of security at Virginia Tech.

Foust said these officers are braving the weather for a cause, helping other state employees in need.

"I can't speak for everybody, but I brought a couple of extra changes of clothes," commented George Jackson, a lieutenant with the VT Police Department.

"The way we look at it is there are people right now, that have it far worse than we do in the Caribbean and the southeastern United States," said Foust.

Foust said officers will each run a mile at a time over the next 24 hours and the team hopes to run 125 miles altogether. Pledges and donations will support the university's goal of raising $325,000 for the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign, a charitable donation program for state employees.

"It's a way for us to give back to the community," said Jackson. "The Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign especially for Virginia Tech has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars."

Last year, the university raised nearly $320,000 for the CVC. The campaign supports more than 1,000 participating charities like the Roanoke Valley's Habitat for Humanity.

"Last year, we received over $2,000 from funds that were donated from local and state employees," said Jenny Lee, the development director at Habitat for Humanity of the Roanoke Valley. "If you equate that to one of our houses, that's all the windows in a house or most of the cost of the nice front porch. So, that makes a huge difference."

Despite the rain, this team isn't calling it quits and hopes their effort makes great strides for state employees in need.