Atlanta VA Medical Center

For the past several years, Atlanta VA Medical Center employees have opened their hearts to help those less fortunate through the Combined Federal Campaign. Despite tough economic times, VAMC raised more than $150,000 to improve the quality of life for others, surpassing its CFC goal of $130,000.  

James Clark, Atlanta VAMC Director, said he could not be prouder of the medical center staff. “This is a great accomplishment. To exceed our goal required a team effort. So whether you contributed $5 or $10 or $1,000, the point is you thought enough and cared enough to give what you could and that effort benefited a lot of people in need of help” Clark said.

As the largest and most successful federal workplace fundraising event, CFC raises millions of dollars each year to assist a broad variety of charitable organizations. VAMC’s campaign ran from Sept. 22 through Dec. 13 and included local beneficiaries.

“Representatives from local charities explained to employees how their contributions would touch the lives of so many others,” said Valerie Russell, VAMC’s 2012 CFC Coordinator. Russell, a Rheumatology Medical Support Assistant, believes that interaction helped put a face to the charities and encouraged staff to donate. 

Likewise, CFC key workers played a significant role throughout the campaign.  “Our key workers made 100 percent contact with employees and provided them with a CFC Agency Guide and pledge form,” said Russell. “That way, nobody missed out on the chance to contribute to the charities that matter most to them.”

What matters most for Russell is the health of her 96-year-old grandmother who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease.  She hopes that CFC’s success will help doctors find a cure someday soon.

For many of VAMC employees, volunteering for CFC has become a yearly tradition. For example Yolanda Morris, Tammy Robinson, and Angelo Moore, have served as members of the CFC Executive Committee for several years.

“At the end of the day, it’s about taking care of people and families and that’s what this money goes toward, to help someone in need and to help organizations that are helping people,” said Robinson, a  Medical Specialty Care supervisor. Moore agreed, but also said that giving doesn’t only come from monetary donations, but donations of one’s time.

“A big reason for our CFC success starts with the tremendous support that we receive from so many of our employees,” said Moore, a Medical Specialty Care Lead Program Support Assistant. “Without their dedication and commitment, it would be next to impossible to reach or exceed our CFC goals the past four years.”

For seven years Yolanda Morris has had a personal connection to CFC.  She came to Atlanta after Hurricane Katrina in need of much assistance.

“Red Cross came through for me and my family. They gave us clothes, personal items, and somewhere to stay until we were able to get things together,” said Morris, who also works  in Medical Specialty Care as a Medical Support Assistant. “The recent incident at the elementary school in Connecticut reminds you that tragedy can strike at any time and to anyone.”