A gift from the heart
The CFC is the annual fundraising drive conducted by federal employees. Each year federal employees and military personnel raise millions of dollars through the CFC that benefits thousands of nonprofit charities.

Donations can be designated to any of over 3,000 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. The 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.

Relief efforts for victims of terrorist actions
According to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), a number of special relief funds have been created or will be created to deal with the relief efforts in the New York City and National Capital areas. In addition, a number of existing CFC participating charities is involved in the relief effort. All federal employees have the opportunity to contribute to national and local relief efforts through their participation in the CFC. Employees may designate their payroll deduction or make a cash/check contribution to the organization of their choice. Contributions through these sources will ensure your donation goes to the relief effort and not to fraudulent telemarketers.

CFC vision statement A government that encourages and enables active employee participation in community and that fosters collaboration with business and the nonprofit sector to achieve this goal.

80,000 gifts of love
Did you know that it was an U.S. Customs employee who had an idea that started the largest wish-granting organization in the world? It began in 1977 when Customs Officer Tommy Austin met Christopher James Greicius and his mother Linda Bergendahl-Pauling. Chris dreamed of becoming a police officer.

He was battling leukemia and when Chris' condition worsened, Austin contacted Officer Ron Cox at the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) about making Chris' wish come true. Officer Cox was more than eager to oblige, and he recruited other DPS members to create a magical experience for Chris. Austin asked Chris if he wanted to ride in a real police helicopter and on April 29, 1980, Chris got his wish. That simple start became the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which has granted over 80,000 wishes during the past 20 years.

The power of one You may ask what difference can one person make? Remember what Helen Keller once said: "I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; I will not refuse to do the something I can do."

Further information on the CFC and the special relief effort can be found on the OPM's Web site.