Defense Department sets record with charitable giving

  • Published
  • By Army Sgt. Sara Wood
  • American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON (AFPN) --  The Defense Department raised a record-high $15.1 million in the 2005 Combined Federal Campaign, exceeding the department's goal by $2.3 million.

DOD recognized its organizations for their fundraising efforts at the Combined Federal Campaign awards ceremony Jan. 25 at the Pentagon.

"By all of these contributions, you have enabled the Department of Defense to maintain its distinction as the largest single charitable organization in the world," said Michael B. Donley, director of administration and management for the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

DOD participation in the Combined Federal Campaign was 60 percent, which is about 10 percent higher than the average of other federal agencies, Mr. Donley said. Twenty-three of the 24 DOD organizations that participated in the campaign earned the National Capital Area unit award for their achievements, he said.

The Combined Federal Campaign is a nationally authorized workplace-giving drive of federal employees. Employees are given the opportunity to contribute to hundreds of different charitable organizations through payroll deduction or one-time payment.

When this year's Combined Federal Campaign began four months ago, officials were concerned that people would be tired of requests for donations after the numerous natural disasters this year, said Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon R. England. However, DOD employees exceeded expectations and demonstrated their giving nature, he said.

"The president talks about the great people in America and how generous they are, taking care of neighbors, and it is what America's all about," Mr. England said. "You've all done a wonderful job."

Mr. England thanked all participants for their hard work and said they had helped more people than they realized.

"A lot of people benefit from it -- people we never know, we never meet," he said. "You don't know how many families, neighbors and communities you’ve helped."