Combined Federal Campaign gets underway at NUWC Division Newport with two new coordinators

Photo By David Stoehr | In 2015, John Woodhouse (from left), communications specialist in the Naval Undersea Warfare Center’s Corporate Operations Department, who served as the command’s Combined Federal Campaign coordinator, was awarded the John F. Kennedy Award from Felicia Lesnett of CFC of Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts.  

NEWPORT, RI, UNITED STATES

10.03.2019

Story by Public Affairs Office 

Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport

NEWPORT, R.I. — For hundreds of people at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport, contributing to the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) is a no brainer. Established in 1961 as the federal government’s version of United Way, CFC is the only authorized and coordinated federal workplace-giving program, allowing employees to combine their philanthropic donations into one swift online process (https://cfcgiving.opm.gov/welcome) or on paper for payroll deductions or personal check.

The workplace benefit allows employees to manage their charitable giving, have it automatically deducted from their payroll and donated to any charity in CFC’s wide network. Since it was established, the CFC has collected and distributed more than $8 billion to more than 20,000 charities from Aquidneck Island and across the world.

For the past 10 years, Division Newport’s and New England regional coordinator John Woodhouse, communications specialist in the Corporate Operations Department, has led collection efforts at the command. During that time, the NUWC Division Newport family has donated more than $2.1 million to the CFC (see below for a list of awards received for the Command’s fundraising efforts). Woodhouse, a member of the Local Federal Coordinating Committee (LFCC) since 2010, served as chairman of the LFCC for both the 2015 and 2016 campaigns.

Woodhouse, a resident of Middletown, Rhode Island, is now stepping down from his role as Division Newport’s CFC coordinator and is working with successors Laurie Dutra, executive analyst to the Technical Director, and Paula Farina, electronic warfare cyber lead, to take on this rewarding commitment.

“If you think about how much money is raised, you realize that if CFC weren’t here, there would be a huge impact to thousands of families,” Woodhouse said. “It is important to focus on, ‘What does this mean to the recipient down the line?’”

“It’s very hard to find someone who hasn’t been impacted by a charity or social service agency,” Woodhouse added. “People like to give back to the organizations that help them and their families. CFC is the opportunity to do that in an organized way.”

Woodhouse and his team across the command have organized bake sales, pancake breakfasts, costume contests and other creative fundraisers as methods of engaging with Division Newport employees to share the CFC message. Now that cash donations are no longer accepted by the CFC, digital and in-person visits attempt to reach 100 percent of Division Newport’s nearly 3,500 government employees. Every department has keyworkers and assistant keyworkers to organize communication efforts and dispatch CFC materials.

Donors may opt for a periodic donation through payroll deduction, monthly credit card charges or direct banking debits. One-time donations using a credit card, bank debit or personal check are also options.

While using the online CFC portal is preferred, it is still possible to donate using a paper pledge form. Both payroll deductions and personal checks can be accomplished with a paper pledge form.

“It’s such a good cause. There are so many charities available, and I like the fact it’s one-stop shopping,” said longtime keyworker Helen Douglas, a project manager in the Sensor and Sonar Systems Department. “It’s easy to give, especially through payroll deduction, or even if you write a check. It’s one place, one time, and all the money goes right to the charities. That’s why I’m involved. You can designate your charity, it can be anonymous and you don’t have to worry. It’s just so flexible.”

For a charity to be accepted by CFC, it must submit an application and financial information so it can be vetted by the Office of Personnel Management and the CFC’s LFCC. Donors know how much of their donation goes to philanthropic endeavors or administrative costs.

“There is more assurance that your money is going where you want it to,” Woodhouse said. “Contractors may donate using all of the options except payroll deduction. Retirees can donate through all options including deductions from their retirement annuities.”

“I think it’s in your heart. You’ll do it or not,” said new keyworker John Boelter, Business Office lead in the Contracts Department. “I have conversations with almost everyone in our department, communicate with people regularly, send upbeat emails and meet face to face — I think it’s very important. The auto paycheck withdrawal is so easy, a couple cups of coffee a week is all it takes. Just a small donation would make a huge impact in our community. I truly believe that.”

Woodhouse explains that the keyworker and coordinator positions require only a few hours commitment per week, and discussions can even be conducted casually while lunching with colleagues. Training is offered to volunteers to learn the program and its benefits, as well as the art of “the ask.” Prior experience is not required, though the Command is always looking for volunteers with a passion for this work.

“Knowing how much we have raised, and the impact of that, is hugely personally rewarding,” Woodhouse said about his reasons for volunteering for so many years. “We talk here about economic impact, the salaries and contracts to local community. Meanwhile this is an effort that doesn’t get a lot of attention, and it’s also hugely impactful.”

“I’d like to thank John Woodhouse for his years of dedicated service leading Division Newport’s support to the CFC,” Technical Director Ron Vien said. “John’s hard work and dedication are shining examples of his commitment to serve others.”

The New England campaign runs through Jan. 12. To learn more, visit https://www.newenglandcfc.org/ or find the New England Combined Federal Campaign on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NewEnglandCFC/.

Awards for fundraising

During the past, NUWC Division Newport has received numerous awards from CFC’s LFCC, including those presented by the:

CFC of Rhode Island:

1997 — Achievement Award
2000 — Achievement Award
2006 — John F. Kennedy Award
2007 — Platinum Award
CFC of Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts

2008 — Platinum Award
2009 — John F. Kennedy Award (to Command) and Campaign Leadership Award presented to John Woodhouse
2010 — Platinum Award
2011 — Outstanding Achievement Award
2012 — Platinum Award and Million Dollar Campaign Award
2013 — Million Dollar Campaign Award
2014 — Outstanding Achievement Award
2015 —Outstanding Achievement Award (to Command) and John F. Kennedy Award to John Woodhouse
CFC of Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island

2016 — Outstanding Achievement Award
Note: Unit awards were suspended after 2016 when all of New England regions combined to form CFC of New England.

NUWC Newport is a shore command of the U.S. Navy within the Naval Sea Systems Command, which engineers, builds and supports America’s fleet of ships and combat systems. NUWC Newport provides research, development, test and evaluation, engineering and fleet support for submarines, autonomous underwater systems, undersea offensive and defensive weapons systems, and countermeasures associated with undersea warfare.

Currently celebrating its 150th anniversary, NUWC Newport is the oldest warfare center in the country, tracing its heritage to the Naval Torpedo Station established on Goat Island in Newport Harbor in 1869. Commanded by Captain Michael Coughlin, NUWC Newport maintains major detachments in West Palm Beach, Fla., and Andros Island in the Bahamas, as well as test facilities at Seneca Lake and Fisher's Island, N.Y., Leesburg, Fla., and Dodge Pond, Conn.

• Date Taken: 10.03.2019
• Date Posted: 10.03.2019 16:32
• Story ID: 345887
• Location: NEWPORT, RI, US
• Hometown: MIDDLETOWN, RI, US