USACE Galveston District donates $16,855 to CFC

Published Nov. 25, 2014

GALVESTON, Texas (Nov. 25, 2014) – This year was not any different than the last when it came to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District employees opening their wallets to support the annual Combined Federal Campaign.

As the only authorized charitable fundraising drive in the federal workplace, the annual district campaign held through Nov. 26, focused on global charitable giving and exceeded its $15,000, raising $16,855 in six weeks.

“Corps employees were well-informed by the representatives of local charities who talked about their organization and how they are helping others who are less fortunate,” said USACE Galveston District CFC Coordinator Dr. Rose Caballero. “At the end of the day, what we truly want to know is what is your organization doing to help others?”

One significant factor behind the district’s successful campaign was the involvement of staff volunteer CFC key workers.

“The key workers made 100 percent contact with district staff and provided them with a CFC Agency Guide and pledge form,” said Caballero. “That way, nobody missed out on the chance to contribute to the charities that matter most to them and donate to the charity of their choice.”

Tammi Barras, a key CFC worker and program analyst for the Real Estate Division, says that the CFC holds a special place in her heart because of all of the services it provides to military families. Barras is proud of her family’s military service, adding that her grandfather served in the Navy, her father retired from the Navy, her husband is currently in the Navy Reserve and her son is enlisting in March 2015 as a Navy diver. 

“I have seen how the Combined Federal Campaign has helped military organizations and I have always known it was a great tool to give to charities that are important to us,” said Barras.  “This is my fourth year volunteering to be the CFC representative for Real Estate and each year I learn about new charities available and how generous my co-workers can be. I used to believe that what I did outside of CFC was enough, but the truth is, I can always do more. I appreciate that the CFC has over 20,000 non-profit organizations in which to choose from and they have been screened to be reputable charities. With CFC, you know that your tax-deductible donation is actually going to the intended charity.”
 
The district has raised approximately $240,000 for the CFC over the last eight years and directly contributed to local charitable, health and human service organizations.

"The Combined Federal Campaign reminds us of the many worthwhile charities working to improve our lives,” said Col. Richard Pannell, commander of the USACE Galveston District. “This program provides the district the opportunity to contribute in an easy and personal way. I'm always amazed at how eager and selfless our employees are when it comes to giving."

The authority to allow fundraising in the federal workplace was established in 1961 and since then the CFC has become the nation’s leading workplace giving program, raising more money for charity than any other annual employee-giving program.

For more information about the CFC visit http://www.opm.gov/cfc/. Visit the USACE Galveston District website at http://www.swg.usace.army.mil. Find us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/GalvestonDistrict or follow us on Twitter, www.twitter.com/USACEgalveston.


Release no. 14-064