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Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work opened the 2014 Combined Federal Campaign giving season today at a ceremony in the Pentagon auditorium.
In all his time with the Defense Department, first as undersecretary of the Navy, and now as deputy defense secretary, Work said, he is continually amazed and overwhelmed by the generosity of DoD employees.
“Because of that generosity, even though we missed last year, the Department of Defense was -- and I think always will continue to be -- at the front of the pack in giving across the federal government,” he said.
Largest campaign contributor
This is truly a singular achievement, Work said.
“The CFC has raised more than $7 billion to date to help those in need around the corner, across the nation and throughout the world,” the deputy secretary said. “That makes CFC the largest and most successful workforce and workplace fundraising campaign in the entire world. And DoD is the largest and most successful contributor to the CFC annual campaign in the national capital region.”
Work called on those in attendance to consider how many lives were affected and how many burdens were made lighter because DoD employee donations enabled CFC programs to extend a helping hand.
The deputy secretary noted that he and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel are aware of the problems that employees faced last year because of furloughs caused by sequestration. “We are working hard to bring a little bit of stability and predictability in the lives of all of our government workforce,” he said.
Charity and giving spirit
The Defense Department family is among the greatest in the nation, Work said, in large part because of its charity and giving spirit -- even in the face of an uncertain financial landscape. “Now, we are asking you to once again step up. We do it every year,” he said.
Through the Combined Federal Campaign, DoD employees have the opportunity to donate to 4,400 approved local, national and international charities, the deputy secretary said.
“There literally isn't anything that you might be interested in that you might not be able to give to,” he noted. “And while a single donation … might seem small, the department’s end results, collectively, can be truly impressive.”
Over $10 billion raised last year
Last year, within the national capital region, DoD raised more than $10.8 million for CFC, with an average gift of about $620, Work said. “That's pretty impressive,” he added.
This year the goal is a little higher, at $11.3 million, but the deputy secretary said he’d like to consider that target as just the threshold.
DoD employees can help to exceed the goal “by reminding ourselves and our colleagues every day that their contributions are the vehicle for so much good. … Together, we can get there,” Work said.
‘Make it Possible’ theme
The theme for this year’s campaign is “Make it Possible,” he noted, adding that it's a theme that fits the department well.
“Because of our kindness, we will help ‘Make it Possible’ for a family in need to receive food, clothing and shelter, and money to pay for heat in the winter,” Work said.
“Because of our compassion,” he added, “we will ‘Make it Possible’ for a veteran to receive care beyond what his or her family can provide. … And because of our generosity, we can ‘Make it Possible’ for more resources to be devoted to medical research for a host of different diseases or terrible conditions.”
Contribute to CFC campaign
Work asked that DoD employees continue to live up to the values they hold so dear: service and sacrifice and duty to others by considering contributing to the campaign.
“I know we can do this together,” he said. “Let's make 2014 another year of record-breaking charitable giving. And I know that I can count on all of you to help make this happen.”
(Follow Claudette Roulo on Twitter: @roulododnews)
Story by Claudette Roulo, DoD News, Defense Media Activity
| Date Taken: | 09.03.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 07.03.2025 10:46 |
| Story ID: | 505436 |
| Location: | WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 0 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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