FORT BRAGG, N.C. - When the Combined Federal Campaign of Southeastern North Carolina kicked off in September, collectors had hoped to meet a $2 million goal. Instead, they exceeded it - again.
Last June, the Combined Federal Campaign of Southeastern North Carolina received special recognition from the White House for its 2008 pledges totaling more than $2.5 million. The award was presented by the Office of Personnel Management, which governs the campaign.
The 2009 campaign ran Sept. 1 to Dec. 15, 2009 and collected $2,392,688 for the workforce charity, said Dan Russell, CFC of SNC director.
There are more than 300 CFC campaigns nationally and internationally, according to its Web site. CFC supports eligible non-profit organizations that provide health and human service benefits worldwide.
Besides Fort Bragg, other donors include Pope Air Force Base, Seymour Johnson AFB, U.S. Postal Service workers and other federal employees, Russell said.
For the 2009 campaign, postal service donations garnered 100 percent participation, with an increase of more than $30,000 from last year, Russell added. This year's postal service pledges equaled $102,532.
"It (CFC) helps so many people that we may never know or see," said Russell, who has worked on Fort Bragg since retiring from the Army in the mid-90s.
Russell added that he has personally benefited from the advances in medical research because he believes those advances extended the life of his older brother, Billy, whom he recently lost to cancer.
"Had it not been for research in cancer and kidney research, we'd lost him probably 10 years ago," said Russell.
The work of the CFC remains important and so do donations towards its campaign.
"They (CFC) understand the importance of helping others," Russell said.
"Federal workers are demonstrating innovative ways to increase charitable donations, and the Office of Personnel Management is thrilled to recognize their work as it models how all Americans can contribute to our neighborhoods and our nation," said OPM Director John Berry in a press release.
Russell said that he thought meeting the 2009 goal would be challenging as Fort Bragg is experiencing various deployments, but "I don't think anybody could match their caring for others, he said.
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