DoD Kicks Off 2005 Combined Federal Campaign
Story Number: NNS050929-03
Release Date: 9/29/2005 11:27:00 AM
By Donna Miles, American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Acting Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England kicked off the 2005 Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) here Sept. 28 by thanking Defense Department employees for their generosity in supporting hurricane-relief efforts and encouraging them to continue that same level of support for other important causes.
England acknowledged that this year's CFC goal of $12.8 million might be challenging in light of the more than $1 billion department employees and other U.S. citizens have donated to hurricane-related charities.
This year's CFC campaign includes several hurricane-related causes, along with hundreds of others whose needs "did not go away because [Hurricane] Katrina happened," England said.
"Many people are in need of help from Hurricane Katrina and Rita," the deputy secretary told a group of service and DoD agency leaders and CFC key workers. "But we must not forget that there are also regional and national and international charities that need our support."
Speaking in a room decorated with red, white and blue balloons and a banner urging, "Please Give," England encouraged department members to continue their long history of generous support to the CFC campaign and to support this year's theme, "Be An Everyday Hero."
England praised the "uniquely American" spirit in which DoD workers open their hearts and their wallets to others in need, in most cases, to people they've never met and never will.
"You don't know the lives you've changed and the effect you've had," he said, noting that CFC donations cause a "ripple effect" throughout local communities and the nation as a whole.
England referred to a famous Winston Churchill quote in urging department members to give during this year's CFC campaign. "You make a living by what you get," he said. "You make a life by what you give."
The goals for the Navy and Marine Corps during this year's campaign total $3.45 million.
