FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Contact:
Mike Orenstein |
Washington, D.C.--The Combined Federal Campaign received near-record support last year from federal employees, military personnel and the Postal Service to score the second-largest pledge tally in its 42-year history, despite vigorous competition in the philanthropic community for donors’ dollars.
While working to make America stronger and safer, federal employees and America’s military families reached into their own pockets to donate nearly $237 million to the CFC in 2002.
Speaking on behalf of Kay Coles James, Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the federal agency responsible for the CFC, OPM Deputy Director Dan Blair said: “Since September 11, federal employees, postal workers and those serving in uniform have worked hard to make our country, and indeed our world, safer from those who might seek to do us harm. So it is especially fitting that we honor those in our federal family who have stepped forward in answering the call to help those most in need. Such giving and contributions to our communities truly exemplify what is best about our nation.”
Blair’s comments were delivered today during the National CFC Awards Ceremony at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building to honor “CFC heroes.”
Worldwide contributions to the 2002 CFC campaign totaled $236,888,903, down 1.9 percent over the previous year’s record tally of $241,400,814. However, the average donation in 2002 increased to $175, up from $167 one year earlier.
Last month, James issued new audit guidelines strengthening oversight of the CFC and promoting better financial accountability. The guidelines, James said, “protect the integrity of the CFC” and is one of OPM’s highest priorities in its oversight of the program.
The CFC was established in 1961 and is the largest workplace charity campaign in the country. Nearly four million federal civilian and postal employees and military personnel are given the opportunity to contribute to the charities of their choice during the annual charity drive, which runs from September 1 through December 15. It is the only campaign authorized to solicit and collect contributions from federal employees in the workplace.
The following are the categories and winners of the 2002 National Combined Federal Campaign Award:
Five Highest-Performing Campaigns
Campaigns Over $1 Million
HIGHEST PERCENT DOLLAR INCREASE:
HIGHEST AVERAGE GIFT:
Campaigns From $250,000 - $1 Million
HIGHEST PERCENT DOLLAR INCREASE:
HIGHEST AVERAGE GIFT:
Campaigns under $250,000
HIGHEST PERCENT DOLLAR INCREASE:
HIGHEST AVERAGE GIFT:
INNOVATOR’S AWARD:
CFC Heroes
Zachary Bunkley
Federal Aviation Administration
Pinellas County (FL) CFC
1st Lieutenant Matthew E. Gillespie
United States Army
Overseas County Area CFC
Mary Lou Bogden
United States Air Force
National Capital Area CFC
Catherine Litke
United States Postal Service
Greater Hartford CFC
- end -
OPM oversees the federal work force and provides the American public with up-to-date employment information. OPM also supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.
United States Office of Personnel Management
Theodore Roosevelt Building
1900 E Street, NW, Room 5347
Washington, DC 20415-1400
Phone: (202) 606-2402
FAX: (202) 606-2264