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WASHINGTON, Jan. 24, 2006 – The Defense Department raised a record-high $15.1 million in the 2005 Combined Federal Campaign, exceeding the department's goal by $2.3 million.
Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon R. England (center) displays the $15.1 million check from the Defense Department to the Combined Federal Campaign. DoD exceeded its fundraising goal this year by $2.3 million. Photo by Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. |
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DoD recognized its organizations for their fundraising efforts today at the Combined Federal Campaign awards ceremony in the Pentagon. "By all of these contributions, you have enabled the Department of Defense to maintain its distinction as the largest single charitable organization in the world," Michael B. Donley, director of administration and management for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, said to the ceremony participants. DoD participation in the Combined Federal Campaign was 60 percent, which is about 10 percent higher than the average of other federal agencies, Donley said. Twenty-three of the 24 DoD organizations that participated in the campaign earned the National Capital Area unit award for their achievements, he added. The Combined Federal Campaign is a nationally authorized workplace-giving drive of federal employees. Employees are given the opportunity to contribute to hundreds of different charitable organizations through payroll deduction or one-time payment. When this year's Combined Federal Campaign began four months ago, officials were concerned that people would be tired of requests for donations after the numerous natural disasters this year, Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon R. England said. However, DoD employees exceeded expectations and demonstrated their giving nature, he said. "The president talks about the great people in America and how generous they are, taking care of neighbors, and it is what America's all about," England said. "You've all done a wonderful job." Each organization was awarded depending on the amount of money raised or improvements from last year's campaign. England thanked all participants for their hard work and said they had helped more people than they realize. "A lot of people benefit from it -- people we never know, we never meet," he said. "You don't know how many families, neighbors and communities."
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