Showing that he is a man of his word, Governor Yongkin has donated his entire first quarter salary to the Virginia Law Enforcement Assistance Program.
During his 2021 campaign, the Governor pledged to donate his gubernatorial salary. Today, he announced the donation of $43,750 at VALEAP’s Post Critical Incident Seminar in Harrisonburg, Va.
Governor Younkin Released the following statement in regards to the donation:
“I pledged to serve our Commonwealth without accepting a salary because I want to continue giving back to the Commonwealth and helping Virginians in every way I can. I have chosen to donate my salary to the Virginia Law Enforcement Assistance Program (VALEAP) because of their important mission to assist law enforcement personnel and first responders who have undergone traumatic critical incidents. This reaffirms my ongoing commitment to support our men and women in law enforcement with mental health resources, training, and equipment to ensure that we are serving those that protect our communities across the Commonwealth.”
The assistance program started in 2008 after the Virginia Tech mass shooting a year earlier and two years after the attack that left a detective dead and two officers wounded at the Fairfax County Police Sully Station. According to its website, the volunteer organization since 2009, it has helped more than 700 officers from over 75 Virginia agencies.
This much needed donation is just the first step into getting help and funds to the people who need it most.