Illowa Bi-State Combined Federal Campaign Kicks Off with Workplace Olympics

By Rebecca Montgomery, TACOM LCMC Rock Island Public AffairsOctober 14, 2008

Illowa Bi-State Combined Federal Campaign Kicks Off with Workplace Olympics
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Rock Island Arsenal, ILL. - Amid relay races and cheering fans, the Illowa Bi-State Combined Federal Campaign kicked off the region's 2008 campaign during its Workplace Olympics held in a packed Rock Island Arsenal Fitness Center Oct. 1.

Twenty employee, management and union teams from Rock Island Arsenal and federal agencies competed in four events. Maj. Gen. Robert M. Radin, Army Sustainment Command commander and Illowa Bi-State CFC honorary chair, delivered the keynote address.

This year's monetary coal is $665,000, Radin said, "but what's more important is the opportunity to give." He emphasized that this year's participation goal is 100 percent contact.

"Get the word out. Get the word out to employees and to people who sit next to you," Radin told civilian and federal employees and military members attending the games.

Radin noted that last year over 46 percent of donations were designated for local charities. "The CFC is important to this local community and we can make a difference," he said.

Radin praised employees for donating to those in need in the local area and said, "Before we kicked off this campaign, the CFC's special one-day bucket collection for flood relief on Rock Island Arsenal raised more than $4,000."

Representatives from more than 40 local and national CFC participating non-profit organizations had displays and information tables set up for employees to learn how their money is put to good use.

This year's theme is "Be a Star in Someone's Life." The campaign will run through Nov. 12.

The 2008 Workplace Olympics winners were first place, Edgewood Chemical Biological Center, Young Guns; second place, U.S. Army Garrison-Rock Island Arsenal, Army Gold; and third place, Rock Island Arsenal AFGE Local-15, The Negotiable.

The Combined Federal Campaign is the only authorized solicitation of federal and postal employees in the workplace on behalf of charitable organizations.

The Illowa Bi-State CFC covers all federal, postal and military employees in the 24-county area of Boone, Carroll, Henry, Jo Daviess, Knox, Lee, Mercer, Ogle, Rock Island, Stephenson, Winnebago and Whiteside counties in Illinois; and Allamakee, Clayton, Clinton, Delaware, Des Moines, Dubuque, Henry, Jackson, Lee, Louisa, Muscatine and Scott in Iowa.

These employees gave $625,199 to local, national and international charities through the Illowa Bi-State CFC in 2007.

For more information, visit http://illowacfc.org.