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Compassionate Congressional Candidate Compels Community Caring
Politicians promise all sorts of things on the campaign trail, but it’s a rare breed of politician that follows through on their promises at all, let alone before they’re even elected. Enter Tom Perriello, a Democrat running a unique campaign in Virginia’s solidly red 5th congressional district. Perriello has instituted a community service initiative that requires campaign staffers and volunteers to donate ten percent of their time to the community. He calls this “volunteer tithing,” after the Christian practice of donating a tenth of one’s income to the church. According to Jessica Barba, Perriello’s Communications Director, “Tom doesn’t shy away from talking about his faith like some Democrats,” and the aegis for the volunteer tithing, “comes from his deeply held Catholic beliefs. Tom is serious about the culture of service, and is running a campaign as a reformer who is willing to put his money where his mouth is.” By all accounts, he has. At press time, according to the campaign website, staffers and volunteers have donated 333 service hours around the district. Teams of around five volunteers have gone to Habitat for Humanity builds, soup kitchens, senior centers, and helped teach children literacy. The community response has been strong.

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