This year’s Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) uses virtual techniques to reach out and directly engage with service members, federal employees and retirees as part of its Show Some Love campaign kicking off this month.
CFC is the world’s largest and most successful annual workplace charity campaign, according to its website, raising millions of dollars each year for more than 20,000 charities. Pledges made by Federal civilian, postal and military donors during the campaign season support eligible non-profit organizations that provide health and human service benefits throughout the world.
According to Vince Micone, the CFC National Capital Area’s chairperson, there’s no question that the coronavirus pandemic has put a strain on resources in the non-profit sector. CFC support is needed now more than ever due to current conditions.
“Organizations that provide medical, financial, educational, emotional and social services face increased demand and are often on the front lines responding to needs,” Micone said in an email.
As a response to the pandemic, the Office of Personnel Management authorized a special solicitation in the spring that provided employees the opportunity to contribute to charities. The response was overwhelming with nearly 2.7 million contributed to CFC charities in just a three-month period. Organizers are hopeful this enthusiasm will continue when the fall campaign kicks off.
Service members can pledge monetary donations via payroll deduction or one-time gifts by credit card throughout the campaign. If someone is new to the military, or a recently-hired federal employee, they can make a pledge within their first two weeks of employment, any time of the year by going to GiveCFC.org. Service members can also participate by following campaign updates and news via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Micone stressed that any donation matters during this unprecedented time.
“A contribution of any amount makes an impact. A pledge of $5 per pay period can add up to help a family or someone in need, which is invaluable in these urgent times.”
Service members also have the opportunity to pledge volunteer hours.
“Many charities even accept help virtually — so whether you have design talents and can help them make a flyer, share social media content, balance their accounting books, or translate documents, there are countless ways to Show Some Love,” Micone concluded.
Visit https://cfcgiving.opm.gov/offerings to find participating organizations.
Read comments
