Tidbits
tit·bit: noun
a choice or pleasing bit (as of information)
These items are intended for you to be able to cut and paste to your own agency's newsletter. All articles are listed by most recent listing. Each of these may be reproduced and edited to fit your needs.
Key Dates, Feature Stories, What's New, Your CFC Donations at Work, Why CFC, Coming Soon
Key CFC Dates: (For More Dates or Current Events- Click Here )
• September 13, 2010 - Loaned Executives on board and begin delivering supplies
• September 16th – Campaign Coordinator Training/ Kick-off – Springfield, MO
• September 29th to November 12th - Suggested Dates for the 2010 CFC Campaign
• October 2, 2010 - Heartland CFC 5K “Dare To Care” ”Run/Walk
• October 12, 2010 – 8th Annual CFC Championship Golf Tournament
January 2011 CFC Awards Breakfast
June 5, 2010 2010 Day of Caring
iCare—weCare (A Message from our CFC Chairs)
Sometimes you wonder if what you do really makes a difference, especially when there is so much need. I used to think this way until some time ago when I heard a presentation from a local charity that works with children in foster care. As I listened to the presentation, I closed my eyes and saw the image of child being shuttled from one place to the next carrying what little they owned in a garbage bag. My heart was touched and I wanted to do something that would make a difference.
Participating in the combined Federal Campaign (CFC) is a way for Federal employees to make a difference, and our theme for this CFC year is “iCare”. Through the CFC, we can help a foster child, feed the hungry, help find a cure, or just lend a hand. Showing "iCare" is what the Federal community does in so many ways and for so many people. We urge you to reflect on how you can make a difference in someone else’s life, and in our community on a local and/or national level.
2009 was a record-breaking CFC year with over $4.4 million raised to help local and national charities. And as you might guess with us still being in an economic downturn, the needs of people and causes continue, and are even greater than usual. That is why it’s so vitally important to our community this year that those of us who say “iCare” act upon that ability and help out through the CFC campaign. Don't underestimate the power of your thoughtfulness and generosity! Use the power of the "iCare" theme, and remember that if you can only give a few dollars a week through CFC, it adds up to a big difference.
We are counting on you to take part in the 2010 CFC campaign and to continue the spirit of caring. Working together “We Can” make the 2010 CFC Campaign the best yet!
A New Record Amount Raised in the Heartland
THANK YOU!! Thanks to your donations, hundreds of thousands of people will be able to receive help from local non-profits this next year. You helped the Heartland CFC to surpass it’s 2009 goal of $3.7 million and raise a new record amount of $4,063,039.
The CFC co-chairs, Gary Beets and Curtis Walker announced the record-breaking campaign January 20th during a ceremony at the Reardon Center in Kansas City, KS and on January 21st in Topeka, KS. Over 250 federal agency campaign leaders and team members attended these events to celebrate the success of the campaign These breakfasts were once again sponsored by GEHA.
Awards were given out for Highest Growth, Highest Dollar Growth, as well as the coveted JFK Award for Higher Per Capita Gift. See Page Two for these award winners. The ACE (Achieving Campaign Excellence) Awards were also announced. These winners can be found on the www.heartlandcfc.org website.
Please help make November truly a month of "Thanks-giving"
Traditionally, November is, for many, a month of Thanksgiving." However, this year, rising unemployment; lost jobs; full-time jobs reduced to part-time; lost health insurance; and other economic disasters has created a tremendous impact on many individuals and the charitable organizations that are attempting to help meet the needs of those so severely impacted by today's economy and other social challenges. It has created a situation where many who previously have "given" during this month find themselves in extreme need of assistance.
Fortunately -- for Federal Employees - we have, for the most part - been able to retain our jobs and our respectable salaries. As one of the largest employer's in many communities - the Federal government and its respective employees, represent the last hope for many charitable organizations and the hundred's, if not thousands, of people these organizations are serving. You are the folks that can make such a difference in such a great time of need. By giving what you can, to the Combined Federal Campaign, you are the individuals who can truly make November a thankful month - for so many.
It is very impressive to see the number of individual federal employees who have already opened their hearts and their checkbooks to help so many others - through their contributions to this year's Combined Federal Campaign. However, there are many more Federal employees out there that it would be tremendously grateful if they too would join their contributing co-workers and pledge/contribute something to the CFC. It would mean so very much to so many, if those who have not yet contributed would please consider making November a truly "thanks-giving" month. A little goes a very long way and the more you contribute - the greater a "Thanks- giving" it will be for the charitable organization(s) of your choice and the people, and mission they serve.
Your contributions, and what you can give, will truly be thankful. So please, I encourage all Federal employees to do all that you can to help make November a rememberable "Thanks-giving" month.
Now More than Ever
Our theme this year is “iCan ...with a reminder of “Now More Than Ever.” As we consider that, we wonder, “What comes to mind when you think about the needs of others?”
Our most basic human needs are food and shelter. In the year before our economic downturn, it was estimated that 35.5 million Americans had limited access to the standard of three nutritious meals a day due to lack of money or other resources. School children going to school without breakfast…Senior citizens eating as little as possible to afford medication…Adults skipping meals to feed their little ones or share with other adults... Families turning off the heat to put enough food on the table. Millions in our nation have to make daily choices between eating, medication, and utilities.
Look beyond our borders, to countries suffering from natural disasters, and their long journey to recovery. Food and shelter needs are devastating. There are others that suffer from the ravages of war and terrorism. For these people their need for our generosity through CFC is Now More Than Ever!
There is something that every federal worker can do to help those in need. Now More Than Ever, we are needed and we have the opportunity to reach out to those in greatest need.
Now More Than Ever,
we encourage you to fill out a payroll donation card or visit
www.heartlandcfc.org to pledge on-line. We urge each of you to review the
list of participating agencies, select those that are meaningful to you, and
give as you see fit. Your donation will make a difference, and is needed
Now More Than Ever!
Give Yourself Richer, and CFC Top 10
How would you like
to be rich, happy and viewed as a leader by those around you? There’s one easy
way:
give. “Wait
a second,” you’re saying. “How will giving my resources away make me rich?”
Let’s turn to an expert. Arthur C. Brooks,
president
of the American Enterprise Institute, spent years studying the results of giving
and found that people who give will earn more money (you might think it’s
because they have more money to give, but Brooks emphasized that the data
clearly shows giving comes
first).
The study findings hold true whether you give money, volunteer, or give blood.
People who do those things end up better financially. Perhaps, something changes
in the neurochemistry of our brains when we give, or just good Karma? Who knows,
but the fact remains – givers benefit from the principle “what goes around comes
around.” Similar studies show that people who give are happier and more likely
to be seen as leaders by their peers. So as we open this CFC season, I invite
you to do yourself,
and the
community, a big favor: give! CFC is also a time to have fun. So, in the spirit
of Dave Letterman, I offer you a possible
“Top 10
Reasons to Support the Combined Federal Campaign:”
10. It’s
non-fattening!
Give up one donut, bagel or quadruple-extra-tall latte per week and donate the
equivalent to the CFC organization of your choice. You’ll not only support a
great cause but you’ll spare yourself thousands of calories this year!
9. It’s
environmentally friendly!
We now offer online pledging via Employee Express or CFC Nexus. Both systems are
available at www.heartlandcfc.org. Pledge online to save paper
(also, it does the math for you and fixes your bad handwriting.) Yes, you can
still do it the old-fashioned way.
8. It’s
easy!
Through payroll deduction of even a one time pledge. You don’t have to attend
an all-day training seminar or even call tech support to pledge via CFC.
7. It’s a
guilt-free alibi!
You can actually say, “I gave at the office…” and mean it!
6. It’s
YOUR campaign!
You choose
the organizations and causes you want to support.
You choose
how much to give.
You choose
how to give (cash, check or payroll deduction).
5. It’s
safe! As
far as we know, no one has ever died while filling out a CFC pledge form… But
seriously, there are strict accounting guidelines to make sure your pledge gets
to the charities of your choice.
4. It’s
good Karma!
(Heaven knows some of you need it to counteract the other kind of Karma you are
generating around the office. Speaking of “The Office,” check out our “Federal
Office” CFC video on the Website!)
3. It’s
cost-effective!
A modest payroll contribution won’t be missed, but it will add up to a
meaningful annual contribution.
2. It is
tax deductible!
Wow, don’t we ALL need a tax break these days?
1. “iCan”
(and uCan)
make a difference!
We’re not Warren Buffet or Bill Gates, but when we pool our collective resources
our contributions add up to make a significant difference. Last year CFC raised
over $274 million nationally. Let’s be that difference.
by Harv Forsgren
iCan… uCan… weCan…. (A Message from our CFC Chairs)
How do we feel when we see or hear of a child being cured of a disease? What feeling do we experience when we know that the hungry and homeless are fed and have a clean place to sleep at night? What image do our eyes perceive when looking upon a pristine forest or one of the magnificent views in our national parks? What sentiments do we feel when we see someone with a disability empowered to lead a more productive life? There may be many words and emotions that can be used to describe our feelings in situations like these but the short, simple fact of the matter is—We all feel good!
And you know, we feel good not only because we see that smiling face that says “Thanks” or hear and read about success stories about people improving their situations, but we feel good because we know we played a part in making it happen. We know that we had a personal hand in making our community, our country, and our world a better place to live.
That’s where the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) comes in to the picture. Our theme for this year’s (CFC) is “iCan”. We urge you to stop and ponder for a moment that powerful little slogan. It literally means that each of us as individuals (“ i ”) “Can” make a difference in someone else’s life, our community (local and national), or for a noteworthy cause! And as you might guess with the economy being what it is right now, the needs of people and causes are even greater than usual. That’s why it’s so vitally important to our community this year that those of us that “Can” act upon that ability and help out through the CFC campaign. Our goal this year is to raise $3.7 million dollars. Don't underestimate the power of your thoughtfulness and generosity! Use the power of the "iCan" theme and while you're at it -- go ahead and treat yourself to that good-all-over-feeling you will no doubt experience when you make that pledge to help. Join us both in making the 2009 CFC Campaign the best yet!.
A New Record Amount Raised in the Heartland
THANK YOU!! Thanks to your donations, hundreds of thousands of people will be able to receive help from local non-profits this next year. You helped the Heartland CFC to surpass it’s 2008 goal of $3.5 million and raise a new record amount of $3,696,877.
The
CFC co-chairs, Steve Tanner and Dave Ragan announced the record-breaking
campaign January 21st during a ceremony at the Reardon Center in Kansas City,
KS and on January 28th in Topeka, KS.
Over 250 federal agency campaign leaders and team members attended these
events to celebrate the success of the campaign
These breakfasts were once again sponsored by GEHA.
Awards were given
out for Highest Growth, Highest Dollar Growth, as well as the coveted JFK Award
for Higher Per Capita Gift. See Page Two for these award winners.
The ACE (Achieving Campaign Excellence) Awards were also announced. These
winners can be found on the
www.heartlandcfc.org
website.
Searching for Heroes –There is still time to help
As the CFC Campaign enters it’s final days, charities still need your help.
They depend on your kindness and generosity to serve the many needs of their clients through the year. As the holiday season begins you will see the red buckets and receive many requests for charity. Thank you for supporting those causes and the work that they provide.
Please remember that your payroll pledges to these same charities help support them throughout the year. Donations through CFC lower their fundraising costs and make it possible for them to budget for the coming months. Truly your donation is year around.
Please take a moment and complete your pledge card and turn it in as soon as possible.
We don’t have to tell you there are many people who need our help this year. The local referral hotline is receiving 3,500 calls a week from individuals with needs. These are not people asking for a hand out, but a hand up. They are looking for that hope and that hero.
When you Dare to Care, you will find that Hero inside you.
Dare to Care—A Hero Lies Within You
When times are tough and people are struggling, who do we turn to? When a fire strikes or an illness befalls a family member, who do we call. Which hero will help you? Will it be Superman, Batman, Iron Man??? All you have to do is look in the mirror to see the Hero Within You. Your community needs that hero now.
You can be a Hero for thousands of people this year, by continuing to give back to your charity through CFC. Each of us have been affected by the economy this past year, but now is not the time to step back and say “maybe next year”. The fact is by ignoring the problem, we make it worse. This very moment non-profits are being overwhelmed by the number of people seeking help, many for the very first time. The agencies’ dedicated professionals are working long hours and stretching their limited resources to help as many people as they can, but here are some examples;
· Redemptorist Social Services has already provided utility assistance to more than 1,100 clients this year, compared to 854 during all of 2007. That’s a 29% increase with more than two months left in the year.
· Harvesters reports requests for food from area homeless shelters, food banks and group homes are up more than 50% over this time last year. 43% of the clients served are children.
· Community Service League tracks cases where they are unable to meet client requests for help. They call them “Unmet Needs.” Through the end of September this year, the dollar value of requests for help they could not meet totaled $651,890. That’s a 98% increase over the first nine months of 2007.
· Perhaps even an organization you work with has been severely impacted by the current economic conditions.
You can see why it is so important that we respond to the issues we are facing as a community. Federal employees have responded to economic challenges in the past and we believe you can and will do it again. See “Why CFC” on page 2 on how you can help.
CFC Kick-off— Dare to Care—A Hero Lies Within You
With a crowd of
over 1,200 federal employees in attendance, the 2008 Combined Federal Campaign
(CFC) was kicked off on September 24th.
The event was held at the Illus Davis Park in downtown Kansas City, featuring
the city’s largest charity fair, fun, food and excitement. The purpose of the
event is to launch the CFC annual campaign and help raise awareness about local
charities
Federal employees enjoyed warm weather and blue skies, after a rainy night, lunch from Fritz’s Barbeque, a t-shirt and viewing the information provided by the CFC organizations and agencies. The annual Hero Games brought competition with the General Services Administration team bringing home the trophy.
Emceeing the event was Bryan Busby from KMBC-TV 9 gave employees words of wisdom about the importance of CFC. This was followed by presentations from FEB Chair Romell Cooks, CFC Co-Chair Dave Ragan and a testimonial from GSA employee John Ster. This is indeed a year for the Hero in each of us to step up.
The 6th Annual CFC City-Wide Kick-off
Come join
more than 1,500 of your fellow federal employees at the 6th
annual Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) City-Wide Kick-off on Sept. 24th from
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Illus Davis Park in downtown Kansas City. This is
Kansas City’s largest employee kick-off and non-profit fair.
The purpose of the event is to launch the CFC annual campaign and help raise
awareness about local charities, the kick-off party will provide food and
festivities for federal employees. Complete with games, t-shirts, music, and a
variety of entertainment, the kick-off is sure to offer fun for all. Emceeing
the event will be Bryan Busby from KMBC-TV 9
Tickets will be available for $6.00 and include a 2008 CFC t-shirt and lunch from Fritz’s Barbeque.
A New Record Amount Raised in the Heartland
THANK YOU!! Thanks to your donations, hundreds of thousands of people will be able to receive help from local non-profits this next year. You helped the Heartland CFC to surpass it’s 2007 goal of $3.4 million and raise a new record of $3,562,452.
The
CFC co-chairs, Rodger Matthews and Sandra Champion Jones announced the
record-breaking campaign January 16th during a ceremony at the Embassy Suites
in Kansas City and on January 30th in Topeka, KS.
Over 300 federal agency campaign leaders and team members attended these
events to celebrate the success of the campaign
These breakfasts were once again sponsored by GEHA.
Awards were given
out for Highest Growth, Highest Dollar Growth, as well as the coveted JFK Award
for Higher Per Capita Gift. See Page Two for these award winners.
The New ACE Awards (Achieving Campaign Excellence) were also introduced. These
winners can be found on the
www.heartlandcfc.org
website.
CFC Charities Need Your Help
As the CFC Campaign enters it’s final days,
we need your help.
Charities depend on your kindness and
generosity to serve the many needs of their clients.
Your contributions do make a huge difference in individual lives everyday
of the year.
Please take a moment and complete your pledge
card and turn it in TODAY.
There are also many CFC events that you can
participate in. These events help
raise additional money that also supports the campaign.
Take the time to have some fun, while
supporting CFC, but remember to turn in your pledge card as well.
Your support is critical, act today.
You might think "I can only give a few dollars a week, what
difference that with make.”
Remember, when you “Give a
Little… You help a Lot”. Just a $1 a week will provide 68 meals,
or $5 would provide 25 nights
of emergency shelter for someone displaced a by fire, flood or tornado.
You have the power to make a big difference with your gift today.
Give a Little…Help a Lot
The Combined Federal Campaign is
the largest workplace fundraising model in the world.
This year’s campaign theme is “Give a Little, Help a Lot."
CFC has the ability to transform your dollars into support for vital
programs and services that can – as this year’s slogan reminds us. It
doesn't take a lot of money to make a difference. Any donation, large or small,
is appreciated and put to good use. Somewhere in the CFC catalog is a charity
that’s near and dear to your heart.
If you have not committed to payroll deduction – take the plunge.
If you’re a regular giver, step up your pledge this year, and consider
joining the elite group of Eagle donors, or those of the Pillar Club and
Commander Club who give more than 1 percent of their salary.
Time and again, federal employees
in the Kansas City metro area have given hope to others by donating to a number
of charities through the CFC. Your 2007 gifts will improve lives in our
community and beyond throughout this year. Each
and every one of you has the power to help. And, every little bit counts.
Five
Years of CFC City-Wide Kick-off
Don’t Miss Out!
More than 1,500 federal employees are expected
to attend the 5th annual Combined
Federal Campaign (CFC) City-Wide Kick-off on Sept. 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00
p.m. at Illus Davis Park in downtown Kansas City.
To launch the CFC annual campaign and help
raise awareness about local charities, the kick-off party will provide food and
festivities for federal employees. Complete with games, t-shirts, the largest
charity fair in the city, and a variety of entertainment, the kick-off is sure
to offer fun for all. Emceeing the event will be Al Wallace from Fox 4 Sports.
Tickets will be
available for $6.00 and include a 2007 CFC t-shirt and lunch from Fritz’s
Barbeque.
The
Sherwood Center expanded their staff on June 23rd, to include
employees of the Social Security Administration who selected Sherwood
as their Day of Caring project this year.
They painted, removed bushes, deep-cleaned classrooms, pulled weeds from
the playground, installed Plexiglas in the doors and even painted a mural in
their hallway.
Similar
efforts were happening all over the metro area as 4,885 Day of Caring volunteers
tackled
187 projects throughout the community.
While many involved fixing and cleaning, others involved spending time
with children, seniors and disabled clients of Kansas City area nonprofit
agencies.
In
another part of town, GSA employees were having a blast doing hair styling,
makeup and manicures for female residents of two United Cerebral Palsy
group homes.
For some of the girls, it was the first time they’d ever had a manicure
and they loved it.
Mother
Nature cooperated to make the 13th annual
Day of Caring a huge success.
Dry weather and temperatures in the mid 80’s were perfect for painting,
landscaping, pouring concrete, picnics, fishing trips and just getting outdoors.
In the end, nearly 5,000 Day of Caring volunteers got a chance to make
new friends, learn a little more about their community and walk away with the
satisfaction of knowing they made a difference in someone’s life by
volunteering for a day.
See
the complete story at: www.heartlandcfc.org (Under CFC News)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A
New Record Amount Raised
YOU
did it! Because of you, the Heartland CFC was able to surpass it’s 2006 goal
of $2.9 million and set a new record of $3,048,025.
Thank You!
The
CFC co-chairs, Rob Cowan, director of the Department of National Benefits
Center, and Sharon Al-Uqdah of the APWU announced the record-breaking campaign
Jan. 17th
during a ceremony at Finnegan’s Hall in North Kansas City.
Approximately 300 federal employees attended the Academy
Awards
themed-breakfast to celebrate the success of this year’s campaign.
Awards were given out for Highest Growth, Highest Average Gift, Best Use of
Marketing,
Best/Most Unique & Most Lucrative Special Events as well as the
coveted JFK Award for Higher Per Capita Gift.
See Page Two for Awards.
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Day of Caring—You Made a Difference
Federal
Employees came together in an effort to improve their community
on both sides of the state line. People
used their skills in painting, gardening, landscaping, carpentry and many other
trades while having a great time. Although
summer temperatures were at a peak that day, work continued.
It
was another example of what good can happen when people come together and care.
Thank you to all those who were able to participate and we look forward
to even more hands to help next year.
Every
year there are opportunities for Federal Employees to join in on Day of Caring
activities. Perhaps you can join in
on the fun next year!
See
the complete story at: www.heartlandcfc.org (Under CFC News)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Over
1500 Federal Employees are expected to participate in this year’s annual CFC
City-Wide Kick-off.
The last 3 year’s have been a wonderful experience for those who have
participated and this year should not be any different.
Show your true colors by participating this year.
This is another opportunity for federal employees to show their
support for our community and have some fun doing it.
Who knows, you might even see yourself on the local TV News that same
afternoon.
For
$5.00 you will receive a special 2006 CFC T-shirt and a box lunch from Mr.
Goodcents and a chance for door prizes.
Enjoy the city’s largest Non-Profit Fair, US Postal Choir, 2006 Hero
Games, Chiefs Cheerleaders and possibly Sky Divers and many more surprises. If
you have not purchased your tickets, check out the CFC website for locations
near you to purchase tickets
Remember, the cost is just $5.00 pre-sale before September 15th and $7.00 at the door. We hope to see you there.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CFC
KICK-OFF A HUGE SUCCESS
More
than 1200 federal employees participated in the third annual CFC kick-off on
September 20th at
The
kick-off received good media coverage through the Kansas City Business Journal,
KHSB-Channel 41 and the Kansas City Star.
The
kick-off is the start of what we hope with be a very successful CFC campaign.
Please encourage your colleagues to complete their pledge cards because:
HOPE LIVES WHEN YOU GIVE.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOPE LIVES... WHEN YOU GIVE
The
Combined Federal Campaign is the largest workplace fundraising model in the
world. This year’s campaign theme
is “Hope Live… When You Give”. CFC
has the ability to transform your dollars into support for vital programs and
services that can – as this year’s slogan reminds – Hope Lives… When You
Give”. Be prepared --- you will
hear this numerous times during this entire campaign.
Somewhere
in the CFC catalog is a charity that’s near and dear to your heart.
If you have not committed to payroll deduction – take the plunge.
If you’re a regular giver, step up your pledge this go round, and
consider joining the elite group of Eagle donors, or those of the Pillar Club
and Commander Club who give more than 1% of their salary.
Let your pledge card do the talking for you this campaign season.
Don’t give until it hurts; just give until it feels good.
Time and again, federal employees in the Kansas City metro area have given hope to others by donating to a number of charities through the CFC. Your 2006 gifts will improve lives in our community and beyond throughout this year. Each and every one of you does have the power to help. And, you have more power than you probably think you do!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CFC Charities Need Your Help
As the CFC Campaign enters is final days, we
need your help.
Charities depend on your kindness and
generosity to serve the many needs of their clients.
Your contributions do make an huge difference in individual lives
everyday of the year.
Please take a moment and complete your pledge
card and turn it in TODAY.
There are also many CFC events that you can
participate in. These events help
raise additional money that also supports the campaign.
Take the time to have some fun, while
supporting CFC, but remember to turn in your pledge card as well.
Charities depend on those monthly checks though out the year.
Your support is critical, act today.
Remember, Hope Lives....When
YOU Give.
Earlier this year the Office of Personnel Management approved a merger of the Heartland CFC and Leavenworth CFC. This newly formed CFC now serves approximately 60,000 Federal and Postal employees at more than 1200 locations located across Kansas and Western & Southern Missouri.
While the name remains Heartland CFC, our opportunity to reach out to more Federal Employees and local non-for-profit charities increases. This expansion enables Federal, Military, and Postal Employees to support their favorite charitable agency in more individual communities through payroll deduction.
The Leavenworth are has proud tradition of giving and is a well known federal community. We welcome them to our CFC Family.
In 2009, federal employees in these two areas donated more than $4,400,000 to their favorite Local, National & International charities. This merger gives us the advantage of strength in numbers for it enables us to educate more people of need in the community and the value of CFC. By banding together we can expect to raise more money for non-for-profit agencies.
Another benefit is administrative costs will be consolidated allowing your donation dollars to be utilized even more efficiently. Heartland CFC has currently the lowest cost in the nation at 5.31%. These economics of scale will ensure low costs to the campaign in the future and thus more of your donation going directly to your charity of choice. By working together throughout the communities we truly can make a difference in the lives of others.
What's new? The challenges addressed by the organizations supported by CFC are often new. It wasn't too long ago that our national bird and symbol of our country, the bald eagle, was on the Interior Department's list of endangered species. Due to successful conservation efforts the bald eagle was removed from that list in 2007. In 1952 the United States experienced its worst outbreak ever of Polio. In that year over 58,000 cases of Polio were reported in the U.S. Over 3,000 people died, and over 20,000 people were left with severe to mild paralysis. In 1994 the Centers for Disease Control declared that Polio had been eradicated in the United States.
Since 1961, when the CFC was authorized and approved by President Kennedy, many of the organizations that CFC supports have achieved significant and lasting results that have improved the quality of life for literally millions of people. But in many instances, with changing times new challenges have arisen. For example, the number of homeless women and children has increased dramatically over the past few years. And with the downturn in the economy, animal shelters have seen the incidence of pet abandonment soar.
So while our
communities face many enduring challenges, the needs of our society often evolve
and change. Through your annual contributions to the Heartland CFC you have the
opportunity to help over 2,800 local, national, and international organizations
face these challenges. Each year you have the opportunity to focus your
charitable contributions on those areas that you consider most important. So as
the challenges facing our communities change, so can your support and
generosity.
CFC Right at Your Finger Tips - Heartlandcfc.org
Finding the right charity for you to donate has never been easier and right at your finger tips. But how do I find a charity that I want to help? Lucky for you, this search is as easy as going online to the CFC Catalog of Caring.
Within the Online Catalog you can search alphabetically, by the services each non-profit supplies, through keywords, or by location (local, national, international). With so many different charities to choose from, it is helpful to have an easy search to narrow your preferences. This way you can find a group you are passionate about and donate to them. Check out the online Catalog today!
But what else can you find online?
· Now, don' t just read about what CFC charities do. SEE what they do. Visit the CFC Video Speaker’s Bureau
· Speaking of Videos: Check out the hilarious CFC - “Federal Office” parody or view the Endorsement from President Barack Obama
· Read stories of people you have helped by contributing in the past
· New this year—Pledge online either through Employee Express or through CFC Nexus. It is so easy to do!
We have two online pledge options available for Heartland Federal Employees
Many federal agencies and employees are eligible to pledge online through Employee Express (EEX).
CFC-EEX E-Pledge
offers employees in specified agencies the choice of making a CFC payroll
deduction pledge on-line through Employee Express. Employee Express is a
convenient, user-friendly automated system that gives employees direct control
over key payroll and personnel information without having to use forms or visit
a personnel or payroll office.
CFC-EEX
is not mandatory for CFC pledges, but another option for the donor
.
CFC Nexus is an online E-Pledging system designed specifically for the CFC community.
For federal agencies
that sign up, their employees can make their respective payroll deduction
pledges through an online tool accessible from the Heartland CFC Website. The
pledging tool is linked to a searchable online charity database with all of this
years approved charities. It contains all the fields of the paper pledge form
including the options to volunteer and to release one’s name and/or donation
amount to charities.
Test
either of these systems at the Heartland CFC website.
What’s New in 2008? - What’s Not New
What is NEW? Maybe we could say -- The extent, breath, and depth of the challenges each and every one of us face this year in the 2008 Combined Federal Campaign.
All of these things that some folks may think are NEW are some of the challenges this country has under gone sine 1961 – when CFC first began soliciting for funds. From that year and ever since -- Federal Employees have always been there in times of need – giving and sharing what they can -- to those less fortunate.
I think we should also talk about what is NOT NEW – and that is the historical caring and sharing, the compassion and giving of Federal Employees – even in these hardest of times.
I think we should talk about what we as Federal Employees are doing – right now and through the end of this campaign. The 2008 CFC Campaign is no different – people are in need and we can help.
Although our Federal Employees may be a little slower to fill out those pledge cards or provide those cash/check donations this year - they STILL recognize the hardships our communities (i.e., people, pets, seniors, etc, -- the 2,700 approved charitable organizations) are faced with during these hard times.
Federal Employees understand that we still have our decent paying jobs and that we can contribute through the year through payroll deduction.
· How about giving just a little more than you did last year?
· If you have never given anything to CFC before, please contribute this year (that would be new).
· Please remember the needs have never been greater – that is new.
· Everyone is asking for your help – please give through CFC -- it is a better way.
Search the Online CFC Catalog of Caring for the Right Charity for You
Helping out good causes is something many people like to do. For these people, this help can be in the form of money or volunteer work. Since there are many different types of charities in existence (local, regional, national, international), it is always a good idea to know which ones you want to help out.
But how do I find a charity that I want to help? Lucky for you, this search is as easy as going online to the CFC Catalog of Caring.
Within the Online Catalog you can search alphabetically, by the services each non-profit supplies, through keywords, or by location (local, national, international). With so many different charities to choose from, it is helpful to have an easy search to narrow down your preferences. That way your money is hitting the groups that you are most passionate about. Check out the online Catalog today!
This year many
federal agencies (see list at the end) and employees are eligible to pledge
online through Employee Express.
CFC-EEX E-Pledge
offers employees in specified agencies the choice of making a CFC payroll
deduction pledge on-line through Employee Express (EEX). Employee Express is a
convenient, user-friendly automated system that gives employees direct control
over key payroll and personnel information without having to use forms or visit
a personnel or payroll office.
CFC-EEX is
not mandatory for CFC pledges. CFC-EEX is another option for the Federal donor
in agencies using EEX (see the list to the right)
Offices
are able to use in 2008:
Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Consumer Product Safety Commission
Department of Education
Department of the Interior
Department of Transportation
Department of the Treasury
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
General Services Administration
International Trade Commission
National Archives & Records Administration
National Labor Relations Board
Office of Personnel Management
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp
Railroad Retirement Board
Small Business Administration
The Eaglet Club is for those donors who wish to become Eagle Club Members.
For an initial donation of $500 (only $20.00 a pay period) and a pledge to step up each year, the participant joins the Eaglet Club and receives a 4” beanbag Eagle.
The following year they must donate $750 ($30 a pay period) to move to Junior Eagle and a 6” Ernest Eagle wearing a CFC shirt.
The third year, with a $1,000 pledge completes the program with the personalized Eagle Statue.
Please consider flying with the Eagles this year
CFC ACE Awards
The
Heartland Combined Federal Campaign is implementing
a new Awards Criteria this year-
the “ACE Awards”
(Achieving Campaign Excellence)
This award
recognizes those federal agencies and departments which excel in employee
participation and per capita giving. There
is no limit to the number of winners of these awards, the more winners the
larger the impact to the community.
Tools to win:
“Ask Everyone” & maintain the average per capita giving to
Heartland CFC ($111.47 average in 2006)
Gold Certificates for EXCELLENCE
Will be given to
organizations achieving a per capita gift of $120 with 80% of their employees
participating.
Silver
Certificates
for LEADERSHIP
Will be given to
organizations achieving a per capita gift of $100 with 66% of their employees
participating.
Bronze
Certificates
for ACHIEVEMENT
Will be given to
organizations achieving a per capita gift of $80 with 50% of their employees
participating.
What’s New in
2007? - Caribbean Cruise Giveaway
The
Heartland Combined Federal Campaign will be giving away a Caribbean Cruise again
this year. This giveaway is
sponsored and provided by GEICO Insurance and Prairie Ridge Travel.
Three finalists will be picked by random draw at the end of the campaign.
The finalists will be invited to participate in the final drawing at the
CFC Awards Breakfast in January, 2008. You
are automatically entered by making a donation through your Pledge Card.
The
purpose of the contest is to generate excitement and increase participation in
the CFC for the benefit of the local, national, and international charities
listed in the CFC Catalog for Caring. Therefore
your contributions to the campaign are requested and appreciated.
For
more details, go to the Heartland CFC Website.
Enter today for your chance to
sail the high seas!
Where’s Waldo?
Well, we don’t have Waldo, but the Heartland CFC does
have Flat Stanley. What’s a Flat
Stanley? A Flat Stanley is a
life-size paper doll image of a person, animal or thing that travels to various
places experiencing life, somewhat like the traveling gnome.
How does this relate to CFC? Our
Flat Stanleys aren’t traveling the world, just to the agencies and federal
buildings within the Heartland CFC area. Our
Flat Stanleys share their personal stories in relation to CFC Charities
impacting their lives. They are,
basically, a 24 hour a day/ 7 days a week reminder of all those charities which
serve us in the same fashion. If you
think about it, most of us have been affected by at least one of the over two
thousand CFC Charities eligible this year to receive your donation.
Where’s Flat Stanley? Watch for the CFC Flat Stanleys as they travel
around the Heartland CFC area, maybe even to your building.
Read their stories on the Heartland CFC website: www.heartlandcfc.org.
Donate to the charity of your choice.
Give a little: Help a lot.
The Fall 2007 campaign marks
the introduction of the new five-digit coding system to the
Combined Federal Campaign.
(continued)
Beginning with the 2007 Combined Federal
Campaign, each participating charity will now use a new five-digit CFC code
assigned by OPM. Pledges made using the former four-digit codes cannot be
honored. OPM is assigning a new code to each participating charity in order to
improve administrative efficiencies in the campaign and simplify charity
marketing.
Future Benefits of Recoding
The assignment of unique CFC codes to each charity and the storage of that
charity data in the CFC National Charity Registry will enable OPM to improve the
efficiency and effectiveness of the CFC through the use of electronic giving
technologies that can enable:
1. out of area giving in the event of
emergencies or disasters;
2. automation of the campaign;
3. donors to make designations to the
charities of their choosing, even those that are located outside their
duty-station
4. enhanced regulatory oversight of
campaign and charity activity.
The
Fall 2007 campaign marks the introduction of the new five-digit coding system to
the
Combined Federal Campaign.
Beginning
with the 2007 Combined Federal Campaign, each participating charity will now use
a new five-digit CFC code assigned by OPM. Pledges made using the former
four-digit codes cannot be honored. OPM is assigning a new code to each
participating charity in order to improve administrative efficiencies in the
campaign and simplify charity marketing.
More information in future newsletters
General Recoding
Process Facts
The
following statements are facts that every donor should know.
· Every charity will have only one five-digit,
numeric CFC code.
· The new five-digit code is assigned to the
charity for the life of that charity. Another code will not be assigned to the
charity nor will that code be assigned to a different charity.
A
five-digit code assignment does not mean that the charity is eligible to
participate in the campaign. Charities must be reviewed annually by their
campaigns for eligibility.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposed
changes to CFC regulations:
The
Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing proposed changes to several
parts of the regulations, for the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC).
These proposed changes are intended to streamline the significant
eligibility requirements and public accountability standards and other
administrative areas to reduce the burden on applicant charitable organizations
seeking to qualify for the CFC, simplify the
administrative
process of determining whether charitable organizations are eligible to
participate in the CFC and facilitate modernization of the CFC program.
Please
read about these changes and how the CFC may be affected at www.heartlandcfc.org.
Some of the changes proposed will put more responsibility on the donor to
perform research on charitable organizations and to utilize industry oversight
groups to ensure that their donations are being used
effectively
and efficiently by these organizations.
Interested
persons are invited to submit written comments concerning this proposal.
You
may submit comments, identified by RIN number through the
following methods:
Federal
eRulemaking Portal: http://
www.regulations.gov. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
E-mail:
cfc@opm.gov.
Include
‘‘RIN 3206–AL05’’ in the subject line of the message.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CFC GiveSmart Card
We are pleased to introduce the Heartland CFC GiveSmart Card Program to our donor recognition program. The GiveSmart Card Program was developed to recognize those who contribute $50 cash gift or $2 per pay period for civilian personnel through the CFC. The objective is to provide a thank you from the community while attracting new donors, and recognizing existing donors. This is the first year for implementation of the GiveSmart Card Program and it is anticipated to continue this annual program indefinitely.
Selected merchants are asked to participate in this donor recognition program by providing a fixed discount for merchandise/service to the GiveSmart Card Program memberscard-carrying patron. A credit card size GiveSmart Program membership card will be provided to all contributors to the CFC which will be presented to merchants to receive the discount. The discount card will be effective through December 31, 2007.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hope Lives … When You Give
Did you ever wonder who comes up with the annual theme for the Heartland
CFC? Well, it is quite the democratic process. The CFC Cabinet Committee,
comprised of management and labor representative, get together and actually vote
on the theme from a long list of suggested themes. This year’s theme has been
chosen: Hope Lives … When You Give.
Simple. Direct. Factual. Optimistic. Please consider giving through the CFC.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GiveSmart Card Program yields a WIN-WIN situation
for our Community
Heartland CFC developed a donor recognition program called the GiveSmart Card
Program to recognize those who contribute through the Combined Federal Campaign.
The objective is to provide a thank you from the community while attracting new
donors, and recognizing existing donors. Selected merchants are asked to
participate in this donor recognition program by providing a fixed discount for
merchandise/service to the GiveSmart Card Program members.
By design, this program is a WIN-WIN situation. Help spread the word! Tell your family and friends that it is not too late to get their business involved! The local businesses WIN for they receive no cost marketing and publicity when they offer a discount to Federal Employees who support the Combined Federal Campaign! The non-for-profit agencies WIN as over 28,000 Federal & Postal employees at 435 locations throughout a twenty-five county area are asked to donate through the CFC!
For more information contact the CFC Office:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carribean Cruise Give-away
The
Heartland Combined Federal Campaign will be giving away a Caribbean Cruise again
this year. This giveaway is
sponsored and provided by GEICO Insurance and Prairie Ridge Travel.
Three finalists will be picked by random draw at the end of the campaign.
The finalists will be invited to participate in the final drawing at the
CFC Awards Breakfast in January, 2007. You
are automatically entered by making a donation through your Pledge Card.
The
purpose of the contest is to generate excitement and increase participation in
the CFC for the benefit of the local, national, and international charities
listed in the CFC Catalog for Caring. Therefore
your contributions to the campaign are requested and appreciated.
For
more details, go to the Heartland CFC Website.
Enter today for your
chance to sail the high seas!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CFC Achievement
Awards
The Heartland Combined Federal Campaign is
implementing three new CFC
Achievement Awards this year.
Each year we recognize the campaigns with the
highest percentage growth, average gift and per capita giving. To make sure
agencies of all sizes have an opportunity to be recognized,
we will present these awards to agencies in varying office size.
500 employees up
50 to 499 employee count
10 to 49 employees
2 to 9 employees
This year, we will reward agencies for
“Best Use of
Marketing”
“Best/Unique
Special Event”
“Most Lucrative Special Event”
To
nominate your federal agency for one of these awards, please email up to two
powerpoint slides detailing your event to larry.hisle@gsa.gov.
Show off your
creativity with the rest of the federal agencies and win
Your
CFC Donations
We all know people drifting through life, taking things a day at a time, hoping tomorrow will be a better day. For them, the future is fuzzy and they have no solid goals. Jennifer Harris is not one of those people. She is focused and knows exactly what she wants to do. Her goal is to raise two healthy, well-adjusted children and to become a lawyer so she can help women who are victims of domestic violence.
There’s a reason for Jennifer’s passion. Three years ago the man she loved, the father of her children, became abusive both with his mouth and his fists. The first time he hit her, Jennifer thought she must have done something wrong. She hoped his surly mood would pass. Jennifer wanted her children to grow up with both their parents, she desperately wanted things to work. But instead of getting better…things got worse.
Police were called to their house on numerous occasions. Officers began to recognize the address and knew she and her boyfriend by their first names. The day Jennifer’s 2½-year-old daughter took her six-week-old baby brother out of his crib to hide in the closet during an argument; Jennifer knew it had to stop. But she didn’t know where to go or what to do next. When police gave her information about domestic violence shelters she decided to call Rose Brooks Center, one of six such shelters in the Kansas City.
At Rose Brooks, Jennifer found comfort, support and help navigating the legal system. But that wasn’t all. Jennifer also received counseling through Rose Brooks.. Counselors helped Jennifer cope with her anger and made her realize that the mental, physical and verbal abuse by her boyfriend wasn’t her fault. It was his fault. The court agreed, finding her abuser guilty of Domestic Violence, sentencing him to probation. When he violated an Order of Protection by breaking into Jennifer’s home, he was sent to jail. They even helped her children by arranging counseling from the Children’s Place, another CFC agency. Jennifer appreciates the support so much that she now speaks publicly on behalf of Rose Brooks, and sometimes speaks with victims who come to the shelter. But she wants to do more.
Jennifer remembers police handcuffing her and taking her to jail after her boyfriend falsely told police she threw a rock at his car. Her blood boils when she recalls the way jailers took away her clothes, replacing them with paper clothing and rubber booties that had smiley faces on them, because her boyfriend said she might be suicidal. After spending hours in jail, the charges were dropped without an apology.
4
Jennifer works full time to support her family, and is also pursuing a law degree with an eye towards family law. She wants to become "House Counsel" for a domestic violence shelter, a position that doesn’t currently exist. She says, "In the weakest moment of a woman’s life a battered woman has to be the strongest. It’s not fair, and I want to change the system."
Welcome to Our Neighborhood
While Jerry and Bobbi Miller are working in their yard, Myrtle Burton chats with her neighbor, and Dymond Albritton watches his son play with kids down the street. It’s hard to believe that 10 years ago, police were calling the Blue Hills neighborhood the "Drug Capital" of Kansas City. The area has changed dramatically in the past decade thanks to the determination of good people living in the neighborhood and help from the Kansas City Neighborhood Alliance….a CFC Agency.
The Blue Hills neighborhood had been going down hill for years, with drugs, crime and dilapidated housing forcing residents to flee, often leaving behind family and longtime friends. Those who stayed pleaded for help. Finally, the city responded, assigning more police officers and stepping up its neighborhood code enforcement and the Kansas City Neighborhood Alliance (KCNA) brought its Neighborhood Preservation Initiative (NPI) to Blue Hills.
In order to succeed, KCNA knew it had to get rid of the drug houses and resurrect hope and pride among people living in the Blue Hills neighborhood. KCNA came up with a five-point plan to help. It included getting Community Action Police Officers assigned to the area full-time; tearing down condemned and dangerous buildings (10% of 3,300 homes in the neighborhood); buying, rehabbing and selling homes that could be saved; helping residents and landlords get low-cost home repair loans; and nurturing leadership and involvement in the neighborhood.
The results have been awe-inspiring. Crime is down 49%. Property values are up 22%. Home improvement loans are up 400%. Home insurance rates have been cut by 40% and banks are offering special deals and competing to make loans.
Instead of people abandoning the neighborhood as many did years ago, people seeking a quiet place, with well-maintained older homes are moving into the neighborhood. Many original residents are enjoying living in a new and improved Blue Hills. Patricia Keeling is one of the believers who refused to let the neighborhood die. She’s lived in the Blue Hills area for 30 years. She’s active in the neighborhood association and frankly admits they never could have turned things around without help from KCNA.
An Oasis of Hope
For hundreds of reluctant travelers, the Hope Lodge is an oasis….an oasis in a desert of depression, confusion and pain. Hope Lodge is a program of the American Cancer Society. The Lodge is a "home away from home" for cancer victims and their families who live outside the Kansas City area but must stay here while undergoing treatment at area hospitals. There is no charge and no limit on how long they can stay. To many, Hope Lodge is the answer to their prayers.
Janet and Al Hampton of Chanute, Kansas are two individuals who have taken solace in this oasis. Janet has breast cancer. She came to K.U. Medical Center for surgery and is now receiving radiation treatment there. The trip to and from Chanute took more than two hours each way. Beyond the time and expense, the long car ride was physically draining for Janet. They decided to stay in a nearby hotel, but that expense combined with the cost of eating out and growing medical bills was almost too much to bear. That’s when they heard about Hope Lodge.
Janet says, " All we had to bring was our clothes, food and a toothbrush. Everything else was provided. It really feels like home. Al has been able to stay with me, which I appreciate. He’s been my pillar of strength in battling this thing."
Hope Lodge is more than a place to stay; it’s also a place to share. The guests feel comfortable in striking up conversations with people they’ve never met before, because they feel like family. That’s how Janet met Stacy Griffith of Lawrence, Kansas. Stacy was four months pregnant when she found out that a growing tumor the size of a football was wrapping itself around her heart. Doctors had to induce labor two months early to make sure her daughter, Paige, survived. She only weighed three pounds but is now doing fine. If Stacy isn’t feeling well, all she has to do is look around to see what others are going through, to be energized by their strength.
Besides a place to stay, Hope Lodge offers information on counseling and coping, connections to other cancer-related services, transportation to the hospital, even a massage therapist. For families touched by cancer…and even those of us who haven’t been… it’s comforting to know that CFC and the Hope Lodge are working together to help.
A Care Giver’s Turn for Help
Suevonia Stewart spent most of her working life helping others. Besides raising six children, she worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse at several Kansas City area hospitals and nursing homes. While she got a great deal of personal satisfaction from her nursing efforts, she didn’t make a lot of money.
Today, Suevonia is discovering what it’s like to be the one receiving help, instead of the one who’s giving it. The 81 year-old Kansas City woman is living with a variety of physical ailments. A heart condition, high blood pressure, and spinal stenosis are all putting a damper on her golden years, but Suevonia is determined to continue living independently in her home even though it is not always easy.
Several months ago, she fell in her home and spent several hours on the floor before finally finding the strength to pull herself up into a chair. She now keeps a portable phone with her at all times. Recognizing that she can’t continue on her own, she has turned to several CFC agencies for help.
Metropolitan Lutheran Ministries’ Senior Outreach program has provided Suevonia with a world of support. In addition to providing food when she runs short, MLM has helped pay medical bills, dental bills and her gas bill. They’ve also picked up the tab for plumbing and furnace repairs.
Another CFC program, The Whole Person, provides an aide to help Suevonia cook, clean house, do laundry and take her grocery shopping and to the drug store. His name is Anthony, and he almost feels like he’s helping his mother when he stops by to see Suevonia.
Suevonia said, “I thank God they have programs like these, now that I need a hand. They are helping me keep my independence and my sanity. There’s no doubt that I’d be in a world of hurt without MLM, The Whole Person and CFC.”
On the surface, Doug and De Mario are an unlikely pair. Doug is 26…De Mario is 12. Doug is a police officer…De Mario is an inner-city kid whose father is in prison, and whose brother is in jail. Yet despite their differences, they’ve become pals.
De Mario was a lonely fifth grader who needed someone he could talk to…someone to look up to…someone to be his friend. Doug came here to become a Kansas City police officer. He didn’t know many people and had some extra time, so he contacted Big Brothers/Big Sisters about becoming a mentor.
It was easy for Doug to understand De Mario’s sense of loneliness, because he endured similar feelings when he was a child. Doug’s father left when he was only four and several years later his mother suffered a nervous breakdown. Doug was sent to a group home for children at the age of eleven. He felt lost and abandoned, and began to wonder if anybody really cared.
While going through this tough time in his childhood, someone encouraged Doug to check out Big Brothers/Big Sisters. He was soon matched with a college student named Dan, an individual with a quick smile and warm heart who would change Doug’s life. Dan quickly became a role model and source of support in Doug’s life, the two remain best friends to this day.
When Doug contacted Big Brothers/Big Sisters in Kansas City , De Mario’s profile stood out. The match was perfect. Doug took De Mario to his first Royals game and down to Union Station for the first time in his life. They try to do something together at least once a week. “Sometimes we go shopping, sometimes we go swimming, other times we just hang out and talk. He’s really a terrific kid.”
Before they met, De Mario dreamed of becoming a professional basketball player when he grows up, but after getting to know Doug, De Mario says he wants to become a police officer instead.
De Mario gets excited when he talks about his Big Brother. “Doug came to school to have lunch with me the other day and all the other kids were jealous. He took me to the Police Academy and introduced me to his friends. I would never pick anybody else to be my Big Brother.”
Finding a Family That Loves You
What do you tell a child who’s been deaf for most of his life, neglected, abused and forced to move from one foster home to another because he didn’t fit in?
Tim Sturgeon was born into a poverty stricken family in Kansas. He lost his hearing at the age of 18 months from Spinal Meningitis. His family didn’t have money for doctors, special schools or speech therapy. The water from the farm’s well was brownish water and they couldn’t afford to haul in fresh water, so Tim never brushed his teeth and only bathed once a week or so. He was sent home from school numerous times because of head lice -- until the state finally intervened, placing Tim in foster care when he was eight years old.
Tim spent the next eight years in the Kansas’ foster care system, moving 17 different times until an Olathe couple, Bob and Teri Sturgeon, decided to become foster parents. Teri was fluent in sign language. The Sturgeon’s underwent 12 weeks of training through the TLC for Children’s Foster Care and Adoption program. Working in partnership with the Kansas Children’s Service League, Tim was placed into the Sturgeons’ home.
After moving in with the Sturgeons, Tim was enrolled into the Kansas State School for the Deaf in Olathe. It was the best thing that could have happened to him. Tim became immersed in the “deaf culture” and for the first time in years, was able to effectively communicate with his caregivers, teachers and peers. And something else happened. The Sturgeons fell in love with Tim and they have adopted him.
At the age of 15, like most boys his age, Tim isn’t sure what he wants to study in school, but he thinks he’d like to be a veterinarian some day. One thing Tim does know for sure…he loves his new family and feels happy and safe for the first time in years.
Your CFC Donations - Queen Bey, Campfire Girl
Many of you may have heard of Kansas City’s world famous Blues and Jazz singer Queen Bey. But few of you may know of here connection to the CFC.
With autumn comes bonfires, but for Queen Bey, it was always about campfires and becoming a Camp Fire Girl. Queen Bey was born in the late 30's to a poor family in a poor neighborhood in Kansas City, Kansas. Given her rough start in life, it’s no wonder she was quiet, withdrawn and very shy. Then, one day in school, a woman came into her classroom and asked, "Who wants to be a Camp Fire Girl?" Bey’s mother gave her permission to join and a whole new world opened for the 10-year-old girl.
"We learned about
patience and perseverance and working together to finish a project,” Bey said.
“Camp Fire taught us about sacrifice, togetherness and leadership. We learned
how much a group can accomplish, with the right leaders."
She didn’t know it at the time, but her Camp Fire experience also gave her something else – confidence. The young girl began speaking up in groups, singing in front of people and trying new things, without fearing she might fail. From this confidence stemmed a successful singing career that is still going strong after 48 years.
Bey has wonderful memories singing blues and jazz all over the world. She’s entertained governors and ambassadors of foreign countries. She’s proud of the fact Prince Charles likes her music and even has one of her CDs. But, Queen Bey is just as proud of her experience as a Camp Fire Girl.
For 83 year-old Leonard LaForte, this couldn’t be more true. Leonard has lived in the same Raytown home for more than 50 years, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Despite tough times and the pressure to move to assisted living, Leonard refused to move from the place that held so many fond memories. “We are much more comfortable living here in our own home, where we’re familiar with the surroundings,” he said. “They say a man’s home is his castle and for me it really is true. This house is the only home I’ve ever owned and I plan to live here for as long as I’m around.”
Everything has not been easy since Leonard’s retirement. Bernice, his first wife of 44 years, died of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Leonard underwent two open heart surgeries; suffers from high blood pressure and diabetes, and is legally blind.
The help from Heartland CFC Charities allows Leonard and his second wife, Magdalena, to continue the memories in their home. Volunteers from Shepherd’s Center of Raytown’s handyman program have helped Magdalena and Leonard fix things in their home. In addition, the Center’s Meals on Wheels program delivers lunch to the couple five days a week. And once, when Magdalena was afraid to drive to the doctor because of road construction along the way, she called on the Center’s Wheels that Care program. The volunteer drove here to the doctor, sat in the waiting room during her appointment and brought her back home.
This is just one example of how charities help people in our area.
Jennifer Harris’s
goal is to raise two healthy, well-adjusted children and to become a lawyer so
she can help women who are victims of domestic violence. She is focused and
knows exactly what she wants to do There’s a reason for Jennifer’s passion.
Three years ago the man she loved, the father of her children, became abusive
both with his mouth and his fists. The first time he hit her, Jennifer thought
she must have done something wrong. She hoped his surly mood would pass.
Jennifer wanted her children to grow up with both their parents, she desperately
wanted things to work. But instead of getting better…things got worse.
Police were called to their house on numerous occasions. Officers began to
recognize the address and knew she and her boyfriend by their first names. The
day Jennifer’s 2½-year-old daughter took her six-week-old baby brother out of
his crib to hide in the closet during an argument, Jennifer knew it had to stop.
But she didn’t know where to go or what to do next. When police gave her
information about domestic violence shelters she decided to call Rose Brooks
Center, one of six such shelters in the Kansas City. At Rose Brooks, Jennifer
found comfort, support and help navigating the legal system. But that wasn’t
all.
Jennifer also received counseling through Rose Brooks. She was invited to live
in the shelter, but preferred to stay with family and friends. Counselors helped
Jennifer cope with her anger and made her realize that the mental, physical and
verbal abuse by her boyfriend wasn’t her fault. It was
his fault.
The court agreed, finding her abuser guilty of Domestic Violence, sentencing him
to probation. When he violated an Order of Protection by breaking into
Jennifer’s home, he was sent to jail. She’s eternally grateful that counselors
from Rose Brooks were there to guide her. They even helped her children by
arranging counseling from the Children’s Place, another CFC agency. Jennifer
appreciates the support so much that she now speaks publicly on behalf of Rose
Brooks, and sometimes speaks with victims who come to the shelter. But she wants
to do more.
Jennifer works full time to support her family, and is also pursuing a law
degree at UMKC Law School with an eye towards family law. She wants to become
"House Counsel" for a Kansas City domestic violence shelter, a position that
doesn’t currently exist. She says, "In the weakest moment of a woman’s life a
battered woman has to be the strongest. It’s not fair, and I want to have the
credentials to change the system."
CFC Helping Overseas
Monica Waswan (65) is a caregiver from Sege
centre in Siaya district. She is a part of the Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC)
program from Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, Inc. (NCMI). This program helps children that have
been partially or totally orphaned due to the death of one or both of their
parents from HIV/AIDS. In this program there are those like Monica that
volunteer to be caregivers taking in children and caring for them as if they
were their own. She takes care of her five grand children whose parents died of
HIV/AIDS four years ago. Monica’s husband had also died many years ago before
the death of her son and daughter-in-law. She started weaving baskets last year
to have a means of feeding her five grand children.
“I never used to do anything before my only
son died, he was the one who was feeding me. After he died with his wife, life
became very difficult for me. I had to start motherhood again to my
grandchildren. This is the reason why I started weaving baskets.”
She also does small scale farming near home.
She appreciates the OVC program because her older grandchildren received
training on “Agriculture and Nutrition” and they assist her in household
chores and on the farm without being told. Before that they used to stay away
from home with their friends and only come home to ask for food. She also
appreciates the support she gets from the church by way of visits and
accompaniment of food during such visits. Groups like the church that supports
Monica, also contribute to the OVC program through projects like maize and bean
resale with the proceeds going to help the orphans to go to school or have
clothes, etc. Many communities participate in programs such as the maize and
bean resale. In doing so they are recognizing the need to support their local
orphans as well as the importance of education and sending their children to
school. Thank you for donating
through CFC.
Your CFC Donations - I
Want to Learn, The Andres Fonseca Story
Andres Fonseca has a thyroid condition that
makes concentration difficult for him. When Andres’ teacher told his mother
that Andres was failing sixth grade, Liz started looking for help. Andres is now
receiving treatment for his thyroid condition through Children’s Mercy
Hospital, and free tutoring help through Mattie Rhodes. Liz says, "Slowly
but surely I’ve seen improvement in his grades. He doesn’t get as frustrated
and he’s trying a lot harder."
One of the reasons for Andres’ improvement
is the fact he and his volunteer tutor have hit it off really well. His tutor,
Matt Hernandez, is a junior at Bishop Miege High School. Matt is an honors
student who has a 4.1 average on a 4.0 scale. He lives in the neighborhood,
about four blocks from Mattie Rhodes. Matt used to attend Our Lady of Angels
School, which is where Andres now goes.
Unfortunately, the
number of Westside students receiving tutoring is limited by a lack of
volunteers. There is a waiting list of students seeking help. Matt and two other
students are their only regular volunteers. The staff of Mattie Rhodes
Counseling Center is working to recruit additional tutors. In the meantime, Liz
Fonseca and Sylvia Smith are thankful the Westside Tutoring program is there. As
Liz says, "It gives us a sense of security as parents to know our children
are receiving one-on-one help from someone who cares. We’re blessed to live in
a country that has resources to help and organizations like Mattie Rhodes and
people that care."
John Taylor is a man on a mission. You can see
the determination in his eyes as he pushes himself a little bit further each
day. The 32-year-old father of two dreams of the day he’ll be able to toss
aside his wheelchair, dress himself and walk down the street on his own. John
has been a quadriplegic due to a
gang shooting since 1991.
John decided to move into a nursing home. He chose Swope Ridge Geriatric Center,
a CFC agency. John spent 1½ years at Swope Ridge. His sense of humor and big
smile made him a favorite of the staff and fellow residents. He loved Swope
Ridge and they loved him. It was like therapy and John began to improve. By
1993, he had improved enough to start living with his family.
Finally, in 1999, a doctor noted John’s
progress and asked him if he wanted to try therapy again. John quickly said yes
and returned to the Rehabilitation Institute determined to walk. Whenever he
feels weak and tired, John concentrates and thinks about positive, can-do Bible
verses that motivate him.
He’s using his newfound strength to help others. Twice a week John goes to the
Jackson County jail to visit inmates. He’s sharing the gospel and encouraging
them to chart a new course in life. His determination is infectious. The
message, coming from a partial quadriplegic in a wheelchair, is a powerful one.
When John isn’t visiting the jail, he’s talking with men and women on
probation…but not on Fridays. On Fridays, John spends six hours or so visiting
his old friends at Swope Ridge Geriatric Center. He feels it’s the least he
can do after the staff and residents were so nice to him. Besides, he enjoys it.
John says, "I think the day I was shot the old me died and now I’m here
on a mission to help people. That’s what I’m supposed to do, help people
until it’s my time to go. Sort of like CFC."
As
a child, LaurieAnn’s life was filled with fear, anger and pain.
At the age of 13, she decided that she couldn’t take it anymore, so she
ran away from home. As a homeless teenage runaway, her life went from bad to
worse. For 10 years LaurieAnn moved from state to state, doing whatever she had
to do to survive. Finally, after much soul-searching, LaurieAnn decided she
needed to get off the streets and find a better life.
As LaurieAnn pondered her future, she spotted a classified ad in the “help
wanted” section of the newspaper. It wasn’t a job listing, but an ad from
the Women’s Employment Network, WEN (a CFC agency), inviting unemployed and
under-employed women to sign up for their Job Readiness Program. Through testing
it was discovered that LaurieAnn has learning disabilities, but also that she is
intelligent and has great potential. She enrolled in the ABLE (Academic Bridges
to Learning Effectiveness) Program at Longview College, a structured curriculum
for adults with head injuries and/or learning disabilities. She graduated Suma
Cum Laude in 1995 with an Associate Degree. Next, she enrolled at Central
Missouri State, where she earned a degree in social work, graduating with honors
in 1997. After graduation, LaurieAnn landed a job as a Women’s Advocate at
Hope House (another CFC agency), a domestic violence shelter in Independence.
Today,
LaurieAnn works as the Community Drug Treatment Services Compliance Monitor for
the COMBAT Commission (Jackson County Community Backed Anti-Drug Tax),
overseeing contract compliance for 23 COMBAT-funded drug treatment agencies.
LaurieAnn has applied to graduate school at UMKC and plans to begin pursuing a
master’s degree in social work this spring. In the meantime, she is
volunteering with WEN and the ABLE program and working with a number of CFC
agencies every day in her role as Compliance Monitor for the COMBAT Commission.
LaurieAnn states, “I’m really impressed with the way these agencies are
effectively using their CFC dollars to change people’s lives.”
As
LaurieAnn thinks about how her life has changed she declares, “WEN gave me a
wonderful gift…they boosted my self-esteem, encouraged me to believe in myself
and helped me realize I had other options available. They gave me the courage to
take the next step, which has obviously changed my life.” She adds, “The
staff believes in every woman who goes through the program, recognizing that we
all have potential and the ability to change. Their faith and support were
invaluable and was clearly one of the best gifts I ever received.”
A
Smiling Face-
Little
in life brings more joy to a mother than seeing her children smile, laugh and
have fun. It was certainly true for Meka Oliver who loved watching her
son, Tabor, play with other children and compete in gymnastics. He was
constantly smiling and was clearly having a good time. But in July of 2005
things suddenly changed.
Tabor started becoming easily fatigued and having stomachs aches.
She took Tabor to Children’s Mercy Hospital, a CFC Agency, where he was
immediately admitted. By the next day Tabor couldn’t walk. He
couldn’t scratch his head, or even raise his arm. After a series of tests
doctors determined that Tabor was suffering from Guillain-Barre disease, a rare
disorder that attacks the central nervous system.
He spent five weeks in the hospital working to regain his strength. At
first, progress was slow, but doctors kept assuring Meka that her son was going
to get better. With the help of daily therapy, Tabor began using a
wheelchair. He was still in a wheelchair when he was discharged from the
hospital, but doctors were convinced that with the right therapy Tabor would
eventually be able to run and play, just like he did before.
They sent him to the Pediatric Outpatient program at the Rehabilitation
Institute, another CFC Agency.
Working with a physical therapist five days a week, Tabor made remarkable
progress. After a month, he got up out of his wheelchair and started using
a walker. Then in December, he put aside his walker and began walking with
leg braces. Today, Tabor is nearly back to normal. He no
longer wears braces and is running, jumping and playing with his friends.
He took swimming lessons this summer and is looking forward to playing soccer.
He’s enjoying life and that wonderful, ever-present smile is back…not only
on his face…but on his mother’s face as well.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defeating
the Odds-
The Laurie Ann Jean-Klapproth’s Story
When
LaurieAnn Jean-Klapproth read the Women’s Employment Network newspaper
advertisement nearly 10 years ago, her life drastically changed.
The Women’s Employment Network taught LaurieAnn valuable job-seeking
skills and encouraged her to reconsider completing high school.
The Women’s Employment Network’s unwavering faith and tremendous
support in LaurieAnn boosted her self-esteem and helped her believe in herself,
despite her past years of physical and sexual abuse, drugs, and promiscuity.
The Women’s Employment Network believes in every woman and recognizes
that they all have potential and the ability to change.
With
that belief and love, LaurieAnn definitely defeated the odds.
She graduated Suma Cum Laude with an Associate’s Degree from Longview
College. Next, she earned a degree
in social work. Prior to working as
a Community Drug Monitor for the COMBAT (Jackson County Community Backed
Anti-Drug Tax), she worked as a Women’s Advocate at Hope House, a domestic
violence shelter in Independence, Missouri.
Also, she makes time to volunteer at Academic Bridges to Learning Effectiveness and Women’s Employment Network. LaurieAnn works with a number of CFC agencies daily in her role as compliance monitor for the COMBAT Commission. “I’m impressed with the way these agencies are effectively using their CFC dollars to change people’s lives,” said LaurieAnn, “Their faith and support were clearly one of the best gifts I ever received.” Please donate to a charity through CFC because hope lives and lives change when you give.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Christine Schmaltz’s Story
My son, Cy, was diagnosed with Duchene Muscular Dystrophy at the age of six,
and at that time we had no health insurance.
He was first seen by the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) clinic at
KU Med Center, and they covered Cy's muscle biopsy and blood test to identify
which disease he had. The MDA also
paid for blood tests for me and my sister to identify whether or not we were
carriers.
The MDA paid for his first pair of night splints which helped stretch his
heel cords and would help keep him walking longer.
Over the years, the association also provided other adaptive equipment
for our home. After we obtained
medical insurance that would cover Cy's pre-existing condition, MDA continued to
help with costs that exceeded insurance. Cy
was seen by MDA doctors every six months at the St. Louis Children's Hospital
which specialized in Duchene in which Cy participated in a trial program using
prednisone which increases muscle strength and helps the boys to walk longer.
MDA doctors performed heel cord surgery on Cy when he was 11 years old to
try to keep him walking longer. Unfortunately,
when Cy started middle school, doctors insisted he use a wheelchair between
classes, and he was soon confined to the chair.
MDA paid for his first manual wheelchair which cost $1,200.
MDA also sponsors a parent support group that was very helpful in dealing
with Cy's condition.
If you ask Cy about MDA and what they did for him, he would most likely tell
you about MDA summer camp. Summer
camp is a week-long adventure for children 6-21 with a neuromuscular disease.
The children in wheelchairs and walkers get to do activities that they
don't normally
get to participate in, such as swimming, baseball, and dances.
MDA volunteers serve as counselors, and each camper has his own
counselor. There is no cost to the
parents, and it gives the parents a much needed break!
MDA continues to provide financial assistance and family support.
I am eternally grateful for everything MDA has done for my son and my
family. Thank you for your donation
to CFC
Christine
Schmaltz is an employee of the EPA
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fire & Ice - Jill Beck's Story
It was a cold winters’ day and the fireplace was stoked with enough wood to heat the entire house. I was thirteen years old at the time and had noticed a bright light coming from the attic. Curious of course; I quickly pulled the door open to discover my first childhood trauma. A blaze of fire swooshed above my forehead just missing my face. The panic came over my family as we realized the fire extinguisher was broken and our phone was out of service. By the time my brother traveled through the woods to a distant neighbors’ to call the fire department, most of our house burnt down. The fire trucks could not make it up our half mile long driveway because the snow was too deep. The end result, our house burnt to the ground. The saddest part of this story is that we did not have fire insurance. It seemed like my childhood dreams went up in smoke and life became a struggle from that day fore ward.
We turned to our community for help and The Salvation Army came to our rescue. They provided us with temporary shelter, clothing, food and even Christmas presents. The Salvation Army was so dedicated to my family, that they had follow up visits with us for months to come; they also assisted us in applying for new windows and insulation for our replacement home. These items wound up being donated and much appreciated all thanks to the hard work and communications of The Salvation Army services. When it comes to a gift like this, all you can do is want to give back. For years to come, I stood outside the department stores with the bright red bucket and was PROUD to ring that bell! The bell sounded like music to one teenage girl’s ears.
Now that I am all grown up, I want to remind myself and others of how we should never forget where we came from. Even if you did not suffer a tragedy in your life time, reach out to those who have. If you don’t have the time to ring "that bell", at least find the dime to put in the bucket. I still shop at the Salvation Army stores to show my support and I have been a faithful CFC member for the past ten years. We all benefit when we take the time to care.
Jill Beck is an employee of the Kansas City Veterans Hospital
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our Family’s Hope Turned to Reality
By: Beth Walker
Today my brother Micah is 22, a hockey player, loves music and camping, and looks completely normal. Twenty two years ago, the circumstances were grim. Our family was told he would not live and that he suffered from Severe Combined Immune Deficiency (SCIDS), an immune deficiency in which the body has no immune system. Even the slightest cold would be a deadly due to his body’s inability to fight it off. SCIDS is a genetic disorder in which women are the carriers, and only male children can be affected. The male child has a one in four chance of having the disorder.
In the 1950s having a baby born with SCIDS was fatal. Despite the efforts, my Grandmother lost both of her sons before they reached the age of two. By the time my brother was born they had learned more about the disease and had started trying treatment options.
By the early 80’s, bone marrow transplants were experimental. My mother matched as a donor and the procedure was done. My mother and bother were in the hospital for the first nine months of his life. The transplant was partially successful, he still has to have a transfusion every month to supplement his immune system.
Today because of several nonprofit agencies, they have isolated the defective gene, and can repair the gene in-vetro. Out of my two sister's I am a carrier, but my child can be born completely normal. This would not have been possible had there been the organization and people who supported the research that saved my brother’s life. Thank you for making this, and other’s hope into reality through your support.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Leonard LaForte
Story
Hope Lives, When You Give
When you think of retirement, you probably think about
enjoyment, much relaxing, and little worriment. Yet, this wasn’t the case for
the 83-year-old Leonard LaForte of Raytown, Missouri.
After Leonard worked for 37 years and retired from Sheffield Steel, his
wife died of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), and he had twice undergone open heart
surgery. On top of that, he is
legally blind and suffers with diabetes and high blood pressure.
Thus, his blindness, health, and age prevented him from doing things
around the house. Fortunately, help
was just a phone call away. Volunteers
from the Shepherd’s Center of Raytown have brought hope and help to Leonard
and his second wife, Magdalena. In
addition to helping with home repairs, the Center provides lunch to the couple
five days a week. Leonard LaForte is
truly grateful for the Shepard’s Center. He
believes that the money he had voluntarily taken from his paycheck for charity
during his 37 years at Sheffield Steel is definitely helping him now.
Leonard Forte is tangible proof that . . .Hope lives, when you give!
Why CFC – the “iCan” Spirit evolves into the “iCare” Spirit!
In
2009 the “iCan” Spirit of Federal Employees came to the rescue…Federal Employees
increased their giving to the same social service agencies that others wanted to
ignore…the true example of the “iCan” Spirit at work!
In 2010 Funding from Federal…State…County…City Governments as well as from
individual donors continues to shrink to these non-profits…the easiest funds to
cut seem to be to those who need help the most…monies are just not available!
That’s where the “iCare” Spirit comes to the rescue…the charities that have helped you…your family…your friends and your neighbors come front and center during the 2010 Heartland Combined Federal Campaign. Yes, the “iCare” Spirit of Federal Employees can make a difference…a big difference!
CFC makes it easy to target your donations (“iCare”) to help
services that have helped you the most!
“iCan” made a difference…“iCare” will make an even bigger difference!
The lives of others depends on you “iCare” Spirit!
Why CFC– It’s Your Personal Charitable Foundation
In this fast paced world we all live in many people have the intention to do something kind for other people. It is on their mind from time to time, but then things get so chaotic that it is forgotten. Fortunately, opportunities like CFC give us a way to make sure our best intentions are followed through with action.
Just
think about that person you know that has an illness. Everyone can think of
people that are diagnosed with a catastrophic medical condition and needs help.
Or you may know someone that has a real passion for some organization that
really helps them. Many times CFC can give you an opportunity to help those
people.
If that still hasn’t given you enough reasons to support CFC, consider this fact. No one knows when they or someone close in their life will be struck with some sort of catastrophic event in their life.
If that happens to one of your close friends, a family member, or to you do you know who will be there to help? If you look at the CFC Catalog it will help educate you about the resources that are available to people. And perhaps you will find an organization you can become passionate about and decide to support them.
Just think those intentions can become a reality and you will be a part of something you can be proud of.
A Little goes a Long Way
There is a
tremendous need across the region this year, but you
can make a
difference. All non-profits, regardless of the service which they provide, are
seeing slightly lower donations. However there are still individuals who need
to eat, animals to be saved, medical research to be done and/or ecosystems to be
restored, as well as so many other charitable needs. The need for these
services does not decrease because of the economy, in fact they increase. As
federal employees we are fortunate to have jobs which are more secure than many
others in our community. We must lead the way to help our communities.
Here are
some examples of what $12 a month/$6 a pay period provides:
720 meals to emergency food recipients from a food pantry.
· 497 meals delivered to low-income elderly people.
· Provide noon meals for 90 seniors.
· 2.5 hours physical therapy for a child with Cerebral Palsy.
· Back to school supplies from backpack to pencils for 4 kids
· 2.5 children's physical exams and immunizations.
· Send a youth to camp for four days.
· 5 nights of shelter for a homeless person.
· 10 winter coats for kids who need them.
· Make a stairway handicapped accessible for 2.5 elderly or disabled persons so they can remain in their homes
· 12 sets of special utensils and dinnerware for children with cerebral palsy.
As
you can see it does not take a lot to change someone’s life. Is that $12 less a
month going to change you?
Dare to Care, find that Hero inside you, give through CFC.
As we launch this year’s campaign, our community is confronting one of the greatest economic challenges we’ve faced in many years. It would be safe to call these uncertain economic times. Many of our most generous corporate citizens have been adversely impacted financially, leading to corporate downsizing and employee layoffs. Many of those who’ve lost their jobs are turning to CFC agencies for help. Just to illustrate the new and increased needs that exist:
2-1-1 has seen a 30% increase in calls for help the first six months of 2009 compared to the same period last year.
The number of families seeking and receiving financial assistance from has jumped 100% during the first half of 2009.
In the past year, Harvesters has purchased 3.5 million pounds of food (at a cost of $2 million) to supplement food donations to meet the demand in the community, a 154% increase over the prior year.
Local nonprofit agencies are struggling to keep up with the demand.
As federal employees, we are in better shape to help those in need this year. Our jobs are secure and meaningful .
We must remember…and keep reminding everyone….that together we can accomplish more than any single individual or group can on their own. It is our responsibility as a community to step forward to help meet the need, by finding new and creative approaches to do so. The good news is that people do care about those who are hurting. People want to help and CFC is the one of the best ways to get the job done. iCan - uCan - weCan
During a time when individuals and the nation, as a whole, are facing great adversity and new challenges, ideas of donations and charities may fall to the wayside. Despite any struggles, these pillars of generosity should never be pushed away because, often times, giving goes the furthest in difficult situations.
While adversity may be wide-spread, the pride and power of hope has also swept the nation. With this mindset of positive change, each obstacle is accompanied by an opportunity. All of those opportunities can be seized with one little word: CAN.
iCan. uCan. weCan.
Each individual can make a difference in someone’s life. No act of generosity
goes without reward, whatever you can give is worth giving. With opportunities
to help across the nation, CFC, the only
authorized fundraising entity for federal government employees, can be the
outlet you need for change, opportunity and hope.
You can help fight a disease, your neighbor can become a role model for a struggling child, your coworker can feed the hungry. With generosity, hope and that “iCan” spirit, we truly CAN make a difference.
Why CFC – Because Of The Faces I See Everyday - by Nadine Johnson
Most anyone who has been a CFC Coordinator or Canvasser can probably recite the three main benefits for why one should consider donating through the CFC: accountability, donor choice, and convenience of payroll deduction. But for me, a 17 year veteran of the FDA, I support the CFC for an additional reason – the faces of my family.
My father too had been a long time US Government Employee. For the latter third of his life, he battled Multiple Sclerosis. I was his sole family caregiver for his last 3+ years. If it wasn’t for the help and support I received from Kansas City Hospice and the MS Society, I could not have ensured his quality of care and quality of life.
The faces around me who have been helped by a CFC funded agency are so numerous. Whether it be an Aunt who succumbed to breast cancer, an Uncle with Alzheimer’s, siblings with diabetes, or even my own daughter who had development delays as a toddler and received speech and occupational therapy for many years, I think of those dear to me and do not hesitate to offer assistance to others.
Currently I am active with both the Girl Scouts and the Cub Scouts. The life lessons my children learn through these organizations are so valuable! We are also members of the YMCA and go swimming almost every weekend. Other faces I see on a daily basis who have been affected by CFC supported agencies are my lovable pets. Animal shelters are always in need of our support.
I am grateful to the many charitable organizations that have been able to support and assist my family through life’s challenges. Please find your “face” and support the CFC. (Nadine works for FDA in Lenexa, KS)
There is a
tremendous need across the region this year, but you can make a difference.
Every non-profit, regardless of the service which they provide are seeing
slightly lower donations, yet there are still individuals who need to eat,
animals to be saved, medical research to be done and/or ecosystems to be
restored as well as so many more charitable needs. The need for these services
do not decrease because of the economy, in fact for the most part they increase.
As federal employees we have jobs which are more secure than others in our
community, and are in one of the better economic positions to help our
communities. We must lead the way.
Here are
some examples of what $12 a month/$6 a pay period provides:
· 720
meals to emergency food recipients from a food pantry.
· 497 meals delivered to low-income elderly people.
· Provide noon meals for 90 seniors.
· 2.5 hours physical therapy for a child with Cerebral Palsy.
· Back to school supplies from backpack to pencils for 4 kids
· 2.5 children's physical exams and immunizations.
· Send a youth to camp for four days.
· 5 nights of shelter for a homeless person.
· 10 winter coats for kids who need them.
· Make a stairway handicapped accessible for 2.5 elderly or disabled persons so they can remain in their homes
· 12 sets of special utensils and dinnerware for children with cerebral palsy.
As
you can see it does not take a lot to change someone’s life. Is that $12 less a
month going to change you?
Dare to Care, find that Hero inside you, give through CFC.
Many of you recognize the acronym CFC and associate it with the government’s yearly drive to help various charitable organizations.
Each year, federal employees from the President down to the various command executives and leaders speak out and/or release messages of their support for the CFC Campaign.
For 2008 I am also expressing my strong support for the CFC campaign and asking you to participate how ever possible Here are some reasons why:
- A shelter for battered women closed –due to lack of funds
- Many of the disaster relief agencies are struggling, financially devastated by monies spent to aid so many people this year as a result of numerous hurricanes, horrific tornadoes, and floods that have impacted the Midwest
- Food Pantries have seen requests for services rise over 40%.
- There are 2,700 reasons on the charity list this year—to share and give back to society—as we benefit from decent paying jobs
I encourage each and every one of you to at least visit the CFC Website– www.heartlandcfc.org and find out what CFC is really all about, who it helps, and the advantages of payroll deduction. If you have never contributed before—please consider checking the CFC website to see what just $1.00 or more a WEEK (14 cents a day) will do to help others.
Facts have shown that one in every three will benefits from CFC within the next five year, make a difference in someone's life this year. Dare to Care - A Hero Lies Within You
In many ways, this season of charitable giving is different from those in recent years. Gas prices are higher; the real estate and job markets are tight. Each of us are feeling the impact of the economy, as are the local charities. More people are coming to these charities for help. They need our contributions maybe more than ever before.
Despite the tough financial times, there are still ways to give, whether you are beginning your contributions or continuing.
- Give something. Even if you have to cut back, continue some sort of contribution.
- Use the payroll deduction option and you’ll notice less of a difference. You can give more overall with less deducted per pay period.
- Take advantage of tax benefits.
- Choose the charity or charities that mean the most to you. If you are passionate about the cause, you’ll be happier about the donation.
- Know your impact. More than 94 cents of every dollar collected is being distributed to campaign participants. Your CFC’s net costs (less than 6%) are among the lowest of all charitable groups, and it is the largest and one of the most efficient CFCs in the nation. This efficiency is achieved through volunteer involvement and the consolidated fundraising concept.
Dare to Care - A Hero Lies Within You
Why CFC– Please Give to the Charity of Your
Choice
(A
Conversation with Daryl Sprague)
“I have volunteered on the Heartland CFC
Communications Committee for several years now,” Daryl Sprague, with the FAA
told us. Then he went on to explain, “It’s the least I can do to bring
peoples attention to the fact that there are folks like me out here in the
heartland that benefit from federal employees contributions through CFC.” In
October, Daryl celebrated his 12 year anniversary as a survivor of
non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
As we continued our conversation with Daryl,
and asked what he has learned from working with the Communications Committee, he
had an immediate answer. “People are passionate about helping other people
when given the opportunity,” he said. “But the thing I remember most is
Chris Blum (FAA’s Regional Administrator) telling us when he returned from a
CFC training event, that the number one reason people don’t give is because no
one ever asks them to.” Daryl went on to say, “That’s what I want to do
today. I want to ask people to please give to the charity of their choice.”
This year our slogan is “Give a
little…Help a lot!” and it reflects the value of you and your gift to the
people you care about. When you contribute to an organization it may seem
insignificant, but remember you are not the only one who cares. There are many
other people who care and they are doing the same thing. And in some cases, like
Daryl’s, your gift will save a life.
When we asked Daryl if
he had anything else he wanted to share with our readers he asked that we simply
add, “Tell people I said thank you for supporting organizations like The
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. It is because of them I am alive and able to
work and support my family today.” Now we hope this success story will
encourage you to rethink your contribution and fill out this year’s pledge
card before it is too late.
Why
CFC? by Steve Freund
Why
CFC? CFC helps many different
organizations throughout the world. Donations are used to help support services
that stabilize lives, mend social problems, and encourage productivity.
Donations will also increase the resources and prosperity of local
communities, our nation, and communities and organizations overseas.
There
are many reasons to donate to CFC. CFC affords associates choice, convenience,
and accountability to ensure donations are customizable and go to a worthy
cause. In addition to having a choice between a flat donation or payroll
deduction, associates can also choose which charitable
organization(s) will receive their donation. There are more than 2,500
charitable organizations to choose from. A complete list can be found at the
Heartland CFC website: http://heartlandcfc.org/catalog/cat07.asp.
The
payroll deduction feature allows associates to make small donations
automatically each pay period that can add up over time and make a significant
impact toward a favorite charity. To ensure the proper practices of each
charitable agency and that donated funds are disbursed appropriately, the Office
of Personnel Management in Washington, D.C. requires that each agency be
audited, produce an annual report, and have a Board of Directors govern the
affairs of the agency. The CFC Principal Combined Fund Organization is audited
annually by an independent auditor to ensure that all designations have been
honored.
For more information, please contact your designated CFC
Canvasser, or visit the Heartland CFC Web site at:
http://www.heartlandcfc.org/.
Look to your left, look to your right, there
are so many people affected by illness such as cancer or heart disease, a
special needs child, parents who need additional support, and the list go’s
on. Where do they turn in their time
of need. Believe it or not, they
would turn to the thousands of non profit agencies that our found in the within
the charity lists provided by the Combined Federal Campaign and your dedicated
Campaign Coordinators and their support staff.
These agencies within the charity lists are local; right next door if
needed or just a call away. And you
know what; they WILL be there for you! Have
you even taken the time to look at who is in the book? It is also on line.
It is really all about You? YES!!! Maybe not
at this moment in time, but everyone is touched in some way or another The CFC
offers you an easy, convenient and simple way to give a little while helping a
lot. Did you know that by giving
just $1 per week buys 50 hours of activities for seniors, 68 meals to low income
individuals, 36 hot meals delivered to home bound elderly?
Did you know that just $5 dollars per week
buys 20 nights of emergency shelter for a homeless person? oh yeah, and 25 days
of day care for disadvantage children, and even for $5 dollars per day, YOU can
provide domestic violence counseling for 60 high school students?
Give a little? It would help a Lot!! - Please share this with the person you LOVE…
CFC
gives employees options. Employees can choose how much to give and to whichever
charity they wish. When you donate through the CFC, your dollars work for you.
With thousands of charities and organizations to choose from, you can designate
your dollars to meet your interests and passions. You may pick a single cause -
or several causes - and apportion your contribution among them in any way you
like.
For
example, donations through CFC can be designated to charitable agencies that
provide meals for hungry children, relief for families in need of counseling,
further work on cures for diseases, comfort for the dying, access to water in
the Third World, environmental protection, and better lives and renewed hope for
millions of people in our global community.
Plus,
it’s easy!
CFC
offers federal employees a simple and convenient way to make a contribution to
the good of society based on their own values. Last year alone, local federal
employees donated more than $3,500,000 to their favorite local, national &
international charities. Giving a little really does help a lot!
Why
Heartland CFC—New Merger Increases Benefits!
In
the spring of 2007, two local CFC
Cabinets approved a merger of the Heartland CFC (Kansas City) with the Topeka
and Fort Riley CFCs. This newly
formed CFC now serves approximately 45,000 Federal and Postal employees at more
than 900
locations located across Kansas and Western Missouri.
The new area of coverage includes 91 counties in Kansas as well as 15
counties in Missouri.
While
the name remained Heartland CFC, our opportunity to reach out to Federal
Employees and local non-for-profit charities increased.
This expansion enables Federal, Military, and Postal Employees to support
their favorite charitable agency in more individual communities through payroll
deduction. Non-for-profit agencies
in rural areas in Western Kansas to the Kansas City metropolitan area to Western
Missouri can benefit from funds received through the CFC.
In
2006, federal employees in these areas donated more than $3,500,000 to their
favorite Local, National & International charities.
This merger gives us the advantage of strength in numbers for it enables
us to educate more people of need in the community and the value of CFC.
By banding together we can expect to raise more money for non-for-profit
agencies.
Another benefit is administrative
costs will be consolidated allowing your donation dollars to be utilized even
more efficiently. These economics of
scale will ensure low costs to the campaign and thus more of your donation going
directly to your charity of choice. By
working together throughout the communities we truly can make a difference in
the lives of others.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The
mission of the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) is to support and to promote
philanthropy through a program that is employee-focused, cost efficient and
effective in providing all Federal employees the opportunity to improve the
quality of life for all. This is the
only authorized fundraising entity for federal government employees. CFC
continues to be the largest and most successful workplace fundraising model in
the world, raising over $260 million in 2005 for thousands of local, national,
and international charitable agencies.
Heartland
CFC reaches out to the over 27,000 Federal & Postal employees at 430
locations throughout a twenty-five county area.
The counties include: Barton, Bates, Cass, Clay, Cedar, Henry, Jackson,
Johnson, Lafayette, Pettis, Platte, Ray, St. Clair, Vernon, Counties in
Missouri; and Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Crawford, Douglas, Franklin, Johnson,
Linn, Miami, Neasho, and Wyandotte Counties in Kansas.
The
Federal Government is the largest employer here in the Kansas City area.
Last year alone the local federal employees donated $3,034,000 to their favorite
Local, National & International charities.
This
year our goal is to increase participation at Heartland CFC.
Would you please donate something and make a difference for someone in
need? Thank you!
On the surface this seems like a simple question. Yet if you really think about it, it actually raises many more questions. Please take a few moments and consider how you would answer these questions.
……perhaps a more vital question is, "Why Not CFC?"
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Why CFC? -- The Foundation for Trust
Most people understand the humanitarian reasons why the Federal Employee community supports the CFC. But did you know Title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 950 (5 CFR 950) is the governing regulation applicable to the CFC?
The CFC has a long and reliable history. 5 CFR 950.101 proclaims CFC as the charitable fundraising program established and administered by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management pursuant to Presidential Executive Orders. In fact, John F. Kennedy signed the first Executive Order for CFC in 1961. Other sections of Part 950 describe the scope of CFC, how the Campaign is managed, the format for Catalog of Caring, and how pledge cards are processed. Therefore, you can be assured your donation is received and processed with the utmost integrity.
The mission of CFC is to promote and support philanthropy through a program that is employee focused, cost-efficient, and effective in providing all federal employees the opportunity to improve the quality of life for all. Strict adherence to Federal Regulations ensures this mission is consistently met.
For the complete regulation, please visit: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_06/5cfr950_06.html
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The Power of One
In today's busy lifestyle we all observe people moving at breakneck speeds trying to get their to-do lists done. What we all forget: there will always be another item to replace the one we just finished and checked off. And it doesn’t help that we have all been taught that, when we need to get something done, just look for a busy person and convince them to help out. Do you see "The Power of One" at work here?
With all the hustle and bustle in society today it is reassuring to think that one person really does matter. Perhaps the most important lesson we can learn is how to approach that person known for their ability to "take care of business" so we can enlist them on our team. It is always helpful to carefully plant a small seed in that persons mind and watch for their response. Then, if they are interested, go ahead and cast the vision you carry in your soul. That will guarantee results.
Isn’t it wonderful that many people over the years have taken the approach that "I can make a difference" for someone else? These people all believed in the power of one and they took action. They took time to plant that first seed, and to cast their vision into someone else’s mind. And people responded when they saw a place to fit into the plan. Perhaps that’s how Heartland Combined Federal Campaign got its start. And now, we would like to ask you to take a look at our catalog, and pick out the organizations you care about. When you find them please take action by making a contribution that will help someone else’s dreams come true.
Written for Heartland CFC
Daryl Sprague 9/27/2006
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The Beginnings of CFC
Fundraising
for charitable organizations in the Federal workplace can be traced to the late
1940's. However, formal authority to permit fundraising in the Federal workplace
was not established until 1961, when President John F. Kennedy authorized the
U.S. Civil Service Commission to develop guidelines and regulate fundraising in
the Federal service. Prior to the 1950's, on-the-job fundraising in the federal
workplace may best be described as an uncontrolled free-for-all.
Federal
employees created the CFC -- one campaign, once a year. By allowing employees to
select from a single guide, called the Catalog of Caring, and making their
contributions through payroll deductions, the CFC opened wide the door to more
opportunities for generous giving to literally thousands of worthy causes.
Donations through CFC can be designated to charitable
agencies that provide meals for hungry children, relief for families in need of
counseling, further work on cures for diseases, comfort for the dying, access to
water in the Third World, environmental protection, and better lives and renewed
hope for millions of people in our global community. CFC offers federal
employees a way to easily and conveniently make a contribution to the good of
society as a whole based on their own values.
It is truly your personal federal employee campaign.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Giving through the CFC
can develop into a culture of giving and volunteerism
Volunteering is the most fundamental act of citizenship
and philanthropy in our society. It
is offering time, energy, and skills of one's own free will.
It is an extension of being a good neighbor, transforming a collection of
houses into a community, as people become involved in the improvement of their
surroundings and choose to help others.
By caring and contributing to change, volunteers
decrease suffering and disparity, while they gain skills, self-esteem, and
change their lives. People work to
improve the lives of their neighbors and, in return, enhance their own.
Some have chosen to become involved so they can provide
a needed service, solve a problem, or advance a worthy cause; others look for
personal development. Many volunteer
for both altruistic and personal reasons.
People make contacts, learn skills, gain work experience, build
self-esteem, improve their health, sometimes finding paying jobs, and sometimes
turn their lives around through volunteer work.
They don't work for money; they
work for less tangible but equally important forms of remuneration such as
satisfaction, appreciation and the opportunity to build skills.
Volunteers are seeking increasingly meaningful responsibilities and
interesting tasks, and the community must find ways to meet their needs.
Saturday,
October 2, 2010– Shawnee Mission Park
Our 2nd Annual 5K is quickly approaching. Mark your calendars for
Saturday, October 2, 2010,
starting at the Theater in the Park Pavilion in Shawnee Mission Park, Shawnee
Mission, KS. This is a great way to support the CFC “iCare” campaign this
year. Runners and walkers will enjoy this great out and back certified course,
a Race T- shirt, chip timing, awards, photos; then food and massages at the
finish line. Or enjoy the 1 Mile Family Fun Run/Walk with dogs on the lease if
you would like.
Register before September 10th for the early bird special. For additional
registration information and to register on line; visit
www.sportkc.org.
Walk or run. . .together “weCan” make a difference.
The CFC Eligibility Review Process evaluates the local non-profit agencies on an annual basis. Last year’s volunteers reviewed over 400 local agencies for approval and submission in the CFC Catalog For Caring.
The application period for local non-profits to be part of the 2010 CFC Campaign begins February 22,2010 to April 2, 2010. If you know of a new non-profit agency that would wish to apply, they can download an application from the CFC Website (www.heartlandcfc.org)
If you wish to volunteer for the review process, please seek approval from your supervisor and then contact Larry Hisle at 816-823-2010
Caribbean Cruise Giveaway
The Heartland Combined Federal Campaign will be giving away a Caribbean Cruise again this year. This giveaway is sponsored and provided by GEICO Insurance and Prairie Ridge Travel. Three finalists will be picked by random draw at the end of the campaign. The finalists will be invited to participate in the final drawing at the CFC Awards Breakfast in January, 2010. You are automatically entered by making a donation through your Pledge Card.
The purpose of the contest is to generate excitement and increase participation in the CFC for the benefit of the local, national, and international charities listed in the CFC Catalog for Caring. Therefore your contributions to the campaign are requested and appreciated.
For more details, go to the Heartland CFC Website.
Enter today for your chance to sail the high seas!
Sunday, October 11, 2009– Kansas City Downtown Airport
The first
four-mile CFC “iCan Run/Walk” is quickly approaching. Mark your calendars for
Sunday, October 11, 2009,
at the Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport, Kansas City, Missouri. This is a
great way to support the CFC “iCan” campaign this year. Runners and walkers. .
.“uCan” enjoy a great one loop course. Also things like: a flat and fast
course; 100% cotton shirts; chip timing; awards; and food at the finish line.
“uCan” register before September 27 for the early bird special. For additional
registration information and to register on line, “uCan” visit
www.sportkc.org.
Walk or run. . .together “weCan” make a difference.
The CFC Eligibility Review Process evaluates the local non-profit agencies on an annual basis. Last year’s volunteers reviewed over 400 local agencies for approval and submission in the CFC Catalog For Caring.
The application period for local non-profits to be part of the 2009 CFC Campaign begins February 23,2009 to April 10, 2009. If you know of a new non-profit agency that would wish to apply, they can download an application from the CFC Website (www.heartlandcfc.org)
If you wish to volunteer for the review process, please seek approval from your supervisor and then contact Larry Hisle at 816-823-2010
Mark your calendars now for the
48th
Annual CFC Awards Ceremony!
Finding the Heroes in All of Us!
Wednesday, January
21, 2009
Hilton Garden Inn – Reardon Center
Kansas City, KS
Come help
celebrate the Super Heroes of the
2008 Heartland CFC campaign.
Caribbean Cruise Giveaway
The Heartland Combined Federal Campaign will be giving away a Caribbean Cruise again this year. This giveaway is sponsored and provided by GEICO Insurance and Prairie Ridge Travel. Three finalists will be picked by random draw at the end of the campaign. The finalists will be invited to participate in the final drawing at the CFC Awards Breakfast in January, 2009. You are automatically entered by making a donation through your Pledge Card.
The purpose of the contest is to generate excitement and increase participation in the CFC for the benefit of the local, national, and international charities listed in the CFC Catalog for Caring. Therefore your contributions to the campaign are requested and appreciated.
For more details, go to the Heartland CFC Website.
Enter today for your chance to sail the high seas!
6th Annual CFC Championship Golf Tournament
Where:
Creekmore Golf Club in Raymore
When:
Monday, October 13, 2008
Time:
Check-in 10:00 am, Shotgun Start at 11:00
Who:
All Players Welcome
Why: Fun,
Food & Prizes
This is a two tiered four-person scramble tournament:
1st Tier: Pits the winners of individual federal agency golf tournament as qualifiers to the championship.
2nd Tier: Open
tournament for all employees
For
more information, go to:
www.heartlandcfc.org
Annual SSA/CFC
Bowling Tournament
When : Thursday, October 2 –1:00 pm
Where: : AMF Pro Bowling Lanes
503 E 18th
Ave
North Kansas City, MO
Details to Follow…
Get your team of four ready for fun and prizes
2008 CFC
Coed Softball Tournament
Saturday, Sept. 27
8:00a.m.– 6:00p.m.
Swope Park
Email jill.paulsen@gsa.gov to
sign up your team of 10-12 players
*guaranteed
at least 2 games
The CFC Eligibility Review Process evaluates the local non-profit agencies on an annual basis. Last year’s volunteers reviewed over 400 local agencies for approval and submission in the CFC Catalog For Caring.
The application period for local non-profits to be part of the 2007 CFC Campaign begins March 10, 2008 to April 11, 2008. If you have a new non-profit agency that would wish to apply, they can download an application from the CFC Website (www.heartlandcfc.org)
If you wish to volunteer for the review process, please seek approval from your supervisor and then contact Larry Hisle at 816-823-2010
Cruising to Success!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Embassy Suites on the Plaza
Come help celebrate the successful voyage of the
2007 Heartland CFC campaign.
HOW CAN JUST ONE PERSON MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Sometimes
it may seem as though we get lost in the fast pace of today’s society and are
just another name in the crowd. But
you may be surprised how the actions of just one person can truly make a
difference in the lives of others.
Perhaps
during the Combined Federal Campaign period this time of year the most talked
about way to help is by making a pledge and donating money.
This is definitely a critical part of charitable giving.
It takes dollars to provide food, shelter, and other services to those in
need. When we add the contributions
together, we as the Federal workforce are an impressive force.
But
please consider donating your time as well.
Whether you volunteer through church, a youth program, an animal shelter,
or do your part to help care for the environment, it takes each and every one of
us caring for each other to keep our neighborhoods thriving.
There are times when
we must be the voice for others who cannot be heard.
Sometimes the most priceless thing we can do is to be an advocate for
others. The CFC encourages you to
help educate others as to the needs in the community, and also is a great
resource for information of available services for health, social, and
environmental concerns.
Bring your charitable contributions and your
mitt to the Bannister Federal Complex for the CFC Softball Tournament. Games
begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, September 22nd at the Bannister Complex field by
the childcare facility.
The tournament was designed to raise funds for
the CFC Annual Campaign while providing food, fun, and some competition.
We encourage your participation to hopefully make this an annual event.
Form your teams by September 7. Each team must consist of at least 10 members and equal men and women. The team fee is $100 to participate and includes food for the day. To sign up, please contact Tim Gosnell at (816) 823-3641 or tim.gosnell@gsa.gov or Paul Tranovich at 816.823.4491 or paul.tranovich@gsa.gov
This
year’s newsletters will continue to show our readers the benefits of their
donations from past campaigns.
Several personal success stories of Federal Employees are lined up to
show you the benefit of your contributions.
Perhaps
you are excited to participate in this year’s CFC KC City-Wide Kick-Off event
planned for September 19th
in Illus Davis Park.
This event will include the largest Charity Fair in the city, a BBQ lunch
from Fritz’s Smoked Meats, a CFC t-shirt, and a good time with fellow Federal
Employees.
Tickets
will soon be on
sale from your agency's CFC campaign coordinators.
The price is $6.00 until September 14th and $8.00 afterwards.
Please purchase your ticket soon.
Watch
our Internet Web site for up-to-date information.
This year’s campaign is off to a great start!
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The CFC Eligibility
Review Process evaluates the local non-profit agencies on an annual basis.
Last year’s volunteers reviewed over 300 local agencies for approval
and submission in the CFC Catalog For Caring.
The application period
for local non-profits to be part of the 2007 CFC Campaign begins March 12, 2007 to April 13, 2007.
If you have a new non-profit agency that would wish to apply, they can
download an application from the CFC Website (www.heartlandcfc.org)
If you wish to
volunteer for the review process, please seek approval from your supervisor and
then contact Larry Hisle at 816-823-2010
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This
year’s newsletters will continue to show our readers the benefits of their
donations from past campaigns. Several
personal success stories of Federal Employees are lined up to show you the
benefit of your contributions.
Perhaps
you are excited to participate in this year’s CFC City-Wide Kick-Off event
planned for September 20th in Illus
Davis Park. This event will include
a lunch from Mr. Goodcents Pasta and Subs, a CFC t-shirt, and a good time with
fellow Federal Employees.
Tickets
are on sale now from your agency's CFC campaign coordinators.
The price is $5.00 until September 15 and $7.00 afterwards.
Please purchase your ticket soon.
Watch
our Internet Web site for up-to-date information.
This year’s campaign is off to a great start!
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CFC
GiveSmart Card
The
GiveSmart Card Program was developed to recognize those who contribute $50 cash
gift or $2 per pay period for civilian personnel through the CFC. This is the
first year for implementation of the GiveSmart Card Program and it is
anticipated to continue this annual program indefinitely.
Selected
merchants are being asked to participate in this donor recognition program by
providing a fixed discount for merchandise/service to the GiveSmart Card Program
memberscard-carrying patron. A credit card size GiveSmart Program membership
card will be provided to all contributors.
More coming soon!
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The
CFC and our region need your help. How,
you say? Your support is desperately
needed to fund the local, national and international charitable organizations
shown in the CFC Catalog of Caring. More
than 300,000 people in the Kansas City area benefited from
CFC charities in 2005. One in every
3 people you meet today will be personally affected by a CFC charity in the next
5 years. Unfortunately, odds are
this person could be you.
You
see, there are only 25 calendar days left in this year’s campaign.
The last date of the campaign is November 15, 2006.
This time will be gone before you know it and you will have missed the
opportunity to help those who cannot help themselves.
We need you to make your pledge and give it to your canvasser.
Give until it feels good.
Help us make 2006 a very successful year by making our goal and surpassing last year’s pledges of over 3 millions dollars.
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Mark you calendars now for the
45th Annual CFC Awards Ceremony!
Stroll the carpet with CFC performers!
Meet the winners for the most successful campaigns.
There will
be new categories, familiar faces, and fabulous surprises!
Will your office win the coveted award?
Please join us on January 17, 2007!