United States Office of Personnel Management NEWS RELEASE

Washington DC - During a ceremony today at The White House, the Director of the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Kay Coles James, recognized the accomplishments of volunteers and leaders involved in the 2000 Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). James also kicked off the 2001 campaign by reiterating all of the good that comes from the once-yearly campaign when federal employees are asked to donate to their favorite charity.

James thanked all of the participants and presented awards to CFC campaigns and individuals that made the 2000 CFC a success, with 1 million federal donors giving over $223 million to benefit thousands of charities and the people they serve.

The CFC was established in 1961 and is the largest employee based fundraising program in the country. Nearly four million federal military, civilian and postal employees are given the opportunity to contribute to the charities of their choice each year from September 1 to 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 this year's 2000 National Combined Federal Campaign Award:

Five Highest Performing Campaigns      
•      National Capital Area ($46,013,011)      
•      Overseas Area CFC ($9,833,811)      
•      San Diego Area CFC ($6,022,050)      
•      San Antonio Area CFC ($5,354,753)      
•      CFC of Central Maryland ($5,038,967)

Campaigns Over $2 Million      
•      Highest Percent Dollar Increase:   11.6% ('99 - $1,791,976 / '00 - $2,000,015) Northeast Florida/Southeast Georgia, Jacksonville, FL      
•      Highest Percent Participation:   74.8% Texas Gulf Coast CFC, Houston, TX      
•      Highest Average Gift:   $326.07King County CFC, Seattle, WA

Campaigns From $1 Million to $2 Million      
•      Highest Percent Dollar Increase:   17.8% ('99 - $993,846 / '00 - $1,170,565) Midlands Area CFC, Columbia, OH      
•      Highest Percent Participation:   62.9% Greater Pensacola Area CFC, Pensacola, FL      
•      Highest Average Gift:   $290.90Greater Chattanooga Area CFC, Chattanooga, TN

Campaigns From $250,000 to $1 Million      
•      Highest Percent Dollar Increase:   20.8% ('99 - $209,878 / '00 - $253,477) Leavenworth Area CFC, Leavenworth, KS      
•      Highest Percent Participation:   63.3% Central Alabama CFC, Birmingham, AL      
•      Highest Average Gift:   $349.37Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties CFC, Monterey, CA

Campaigns Under $250,000      
•      Highest Percent Dollar Increase:   127.2% ('99 - $75,528 / '00 - $171,629) North Central West Virginia, Clarksburg, WV      
•      Highest Percent Participation:   85.6%Southeastern Ohio, Chillicothe, OH      
•      Highest Average Gift:   $314.13Mid-Columbia Area CFC, Kennewick, WV

James also presented Hero Awards to "CFC Heroes," federal campaign volunteers who exemplify commitment to community and to public service. The winners, representing three areas of federal service - civilian, military, and postal - were selected from a national pool of candidates. The 2001 CFC Heroes Award winners are:

Civilian
•      Dale Hilding, Social Security Administration, Pendleton, OR
       CFC of Umatilla County

Military
•      Jim Moder, Kaiserslautern Military Community, Germany
       Overseas CFC

Postal
•      Maryann Corona, United States Postal Service, Fort Lauderdale, FL
       CFC of Broward County

OPM oversees the federal work force and provides the American public with up-to-date employment information. OPM also supports US agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools and programs to improve workforce performance.

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