Combined Federal Campaign-Overseas kicks off donation campaign

by Mary Davis
U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz
U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz Commander Col. Jason Edwards shows support for the USO during the 2019 Combined Federal Campaign-Overseas drive. With more than 1,500 charitable organizations to choose from, “Show Some Love” for a cause that you support today.

Donate to the causes you love during the 2018 Combined Federal Campaign-Overseas fundraiser — now until Jan. 11, 2019.

“The campaign is about an informed opportunity to give, not simply a contact,” said U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz Commander Col. Jason Edwards. “This campaign is about understanding the program’s impact and how we as leaders can communicate with new Army Professionals the importance of our help and generosity to a very wide range of organizations.”

CFC, managed by the Office of Personnel Management, is the world’s largest and most successful annual workplace charity fundraiser with almost 200 CFC campaigns throughout the United States and overseas, raising millions of dollars each year. Pledges made by federal civilian, postal and military donors during the campaign support eligible non-profit organizations, providing health and human service benefits throughout the world.

CFC-O kicked off its “Show Some Love” campaign this month with an improved online donation system to foster transparency and guarantee contributions reach their intended organizations in a timely manner, said Sgt. 1st Class Land Gallagher, U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz Operations NCO and garrison CFC-O organizer.

“The online pledge portal has been improved to allow donors to complete more than one pledge per account (for example – making a payroll deduction and then making a one-time pledge with a credit card), to pledge dollars and volunteer hours on the same pledge and the expanded office/unit list, allowing donors to attribute their pledge to the correct reporting unit,” Gallagher said. “Additionally, the enhanced online charity search helps donors find organizations they might be interested in.”

Celebrating its 57th year of giving, CFC relies heavily on federal employees’ generosity for contributions, Gallagher said.

“Charities realized that federal workplaces were reliable places to campaign, but there were so many drives, campaigns and fundraisers, that it was a huge mission disruption,” he explained. “President John F. Kennedy signed CFC into effect in 1961, relieving the burden of so many drives and allowing federal employees the opportunity to give.”

Last year, the campaign raised $101 million in charitable contributions, and CFC hopes to raise more this year by allowing donors to give with confidence, convenience and choice:

Confidence: Give with confidence knowing CFC is a federally regulated program.

Convenience: Donating to a favorite charity is easy and can be made through payroll deduction, credit/debit card or ACH transfer from a bank account.

Choice: There are thousands of local, national and international participating charities for donors to choose from, and federal employees have the option to pledge both dollars and volunteer time.

Donors also have the option to give anonymously. When making contributions, donors can choose whether to release their name, contact information, pledge amount and volunteer hours to the charities they support.

“I have multiple causes that I enjoy supporting, but I enjoy supporting anonymously,” Gallagher said. “I think that if we all take a deep look at our lives, we know someone that has been helped by an organization or charity. I would encourage all personnel that are new to CFC to open a Charity List Booklet and find an organization to connect with.”

Throughout the campaign, CFC keyworkers will initiate 100-percent contact with garrison members to provide information regarding charities and donations. People can also check out the CFC online pledge portal for a paperless way to make donations at www.cfcoverseas.org.

“For 57 years, CFC has raised millions of dollars for eligible non-profit organizations all over the world, thanks to the heart-felt generosity of its donors,” Edwards said. “This year, global charities need your help more than ever to provide health and human services and improve the quality of life for those in need. I ask each member of our Garrison Team to find a charity that speaks to their heart and donate to that cause. Show your support for those who are less fortunate and would benefit from your kindness — ‘Show Some Love’ during the 2018 CFC campaign.”