FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Fort Carson's Combined Federal Campaign project officer was among 10 federal employees to receive the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's national Hero Award during a White House ceremony June 28.
Staff Sgt. David Braadland, the training and schools noncommissioned officer for Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Garrison, Fort Carson, was the sole military member to receive the award for his efforts during the 2009 national campaign that raised nearly $282.6 million in pledges to nonprofit programs.
Braadland said he was shocked when Garrison Commander Col. Robert F. McLaughlin told him he was selected for the award.
"I didn't think I deserved it," he said of his initial reaction. "I was just doing what I had to do ... just doing my job."
Braadland relied on his connections around post when he took over duties as the installation CFC project officer and dressed as the scarecrow to serve as the emcee of the post CFC kickoff fair, but he was quick to say the CFC participants are the real heroes.
"I was pretty much the face (of CFC) for Fort Carson, but Fort Carson deserved the overall (award)," he said. "With the amount of money raised from Fort Carson (more than $655,000) - with 25 percent participation, raising over a half million dollars for charity - that's just awesome and says a lot for Fort Carson, especially with the current recession."
OPM Director John Berry thanked the award winners for their efforts helping the CFC enjoy a record-setting year, according to the OPM release.
"Just as federal employees work for the American public in communities throughout our country, they also give back to these same communities through programs like the Combined Federal Campaign," Berry said. "I am proud to recognize the volunteer efforts of federal employees, whose donations through the CFC program represent the largest workplace charity program in the world."
"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."
In a letter to the award recipients, President Obama wrote, "During difficult economic times, the struggles of families and individuals are often reflected in fewer and smaller contributions to charitable organizations. Yet, today, many Americans still selflessly offer all they are able to give and your donations through the Combined Federal Campaign demonstrate the true heart and spirit of federal workers."
Braadland said he was surprised when he received the Pikes Peak Region CFC Hero award Jan. 14, during the regional awards ceremony at Peterson Air Force Base, and was unaware he was put in for the national award.
In addition to serving as the CFC project officer, Braadland is the Fort Carson Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo liaison and volunteers as a Youth Services Center coach for several sports.
"(Serving as the Fort Carson CFC project officer) is my way of giving back to the community, because I can't deploy (for medical reasons)," he said. "It goes to a good cause ... there are so many charities out there that help people ... it's just a good thing to be able to do and help."
Braadland said he has a passion to help people get involved in their community.
"You don't see a lot of kindness out there," he said, but there are an abundance of opportunities such as the other day on his way home from work Braadland helped someone who ran out of gas on Interstate 25.
"I turned around, picked him up and took him to a gas station," he said. "It wasn't that far ... but he said 'if it weren't for you, nobody probably would have stopped and helped me out.'"
"He asked me, 'What can I do for you'' I said nothing, just help somebody else ... pass it on, pay it forward."
Kelli Braadland was happy to see her husband recognized for the volunteer work he does.
"It means a lot to me because he finally got recognized for all that hard work he did," she said. "He's a lot happier, more like a little kid, when he comes back (from volunteering) because he feels like he's done something."
OPM initiated the national CFC Hero program in 2002 to recognize outstanding leadership and volunteer contribution to the Combined Federal Campaign, according to the release.
Nominations were solicited from more than 250 CFC regions in three categories: military uniformed, postal service and federal civilian. A national committee comprised of Local Federal Coordinating Committee members, Principal Combined Fund Organizations and former recipients of the award determine the national heroes to be honored with the national awards based on innovation, campaign achievement, personal background or life experiences that influenced the nominee, and personal volunteerism outside the workplace, according to the release.
The Combined Federal Campaign is the world's largest and most successful annual workplace charity campaign, with more than 300 CFC campaigns throughout the country and internationally, the release said. 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.
Since its inception in 1961, the campaign has raised more than $6 billion in charitable donations.
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