FORT BELVOIR, Virginia –
At the end of every dollar pledged to the Combined Federal Campaign is a real person receiving benefits, the executive director of CFC in the National Capital Area told McNamara Headquarters Complex employees during a kickoff ceremony Oct. 15.
“Giving through the CFC doesn’t mean your contribution, your $1 or $5 a pay period, is going to save the world or someone’s life. But all together, we may save a wounded warrior or somebody who’s been in a horrific car accident,” Curtis Rumbaugh said.
The Defense Logistics Agency’s 2019 goal is $274,000 and its theme – Grow Our Giving – highlights ambitions to increase the number of participants. In the 2018 campaign, just 14.6% of DLA employees in the NCR raised $268,000. The total contribution from DLA and HQC tenant agencies was over half a million dollars.
“You are one of the biggest sources for giving within the Department of Defense, which is really impressive when you think none of us are getting rich or famous for our civil service. Yet we still give back to our community in such a tremendous way,” Rumbaugh added.
CFC is the world’s largest, most successful workplace charity campaign. Donors can choose from over 20,000 nonprofit charitable organizations that support causes ranging from homeless veterans to cancer. Since it began in 1961, federal employees have raised more than $8.3 billion.
Employees can donate by credit card or payroll deduction on a one-time or reoccurring basis at www.cfcgiving.opm.gov. The secure online portal reduces administration costs and errors, and allows users to search for specific charities or view a list of organizations that support specific categories like animal rights, the environment or public safety. Employees can also donate time rather than money by choosing a charity with a hand icon next to it.
DLA directorates will sponsor a different cause each week of the campaign, which runs through Jan. 12. This week’s cause is disaster relief.
“Among all of our teams we have a strong history of service to others in times of need providing support after hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires and other disasters,” said DLA Vice Director Mike Scott, adding that CFC gives employees a chance to help people around the world and those close to home.
Keyworkers and CFC coordinators in each directorate can link employees with information and tools to choose charities. Scott encouraged employees to use codes provided by their coordinator so office participation can be tracked.
For more information, call DLA CFC Campaign Manager Watt Lough at 571-767-6479 or email kevin.lough@dla.mil.