DHS Celebrates a Record Breaking Campaign

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) held their annual Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) awards ceremony on February 18th at the National Association of Home Builders Auditorium. DHS had plenty of reasons to celebrate their 2008 CFC campaign as the Department raised more than $3.5 million, exceeding their goal of $3.2 million.

"It's important that we come together as a Department on occasions like this to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of our people who have made the Department a stand-out", said Acting Under Secretary Brad Buswell who had the honor of being the event's master of ceremonies. "This was a banner year for our CFC campaign - an undertaking that took on increasing importance as our Nation's economy took a turn for the worse and many Americans faced unprecedented financial hardship".

The Chair of the Combined Federal Campaign of the National Capital Area's (CFCNCA) Local Federal Coordinating Committee (LFCC) Linda Washington was the keynote speaker. "If your giving alone was ranked alongside other regional CFC campaigns, the list would show that employees from DHS here in Washington alone would rank above the total contributions made through CFC in places like New York, Seattle or Denver", remarked Ms. Washington.

Ms. Washington presented Mr. Buswell and Vice Admiral Clifford Pearson, Chief of Staff and Commanding Office at Coast Guard Headquarters three awards:

   • First, the CFCNCA Summit Award recognizing a five percent increase in contributions;

• Second, the CFCNCA Million Dollar Circle Award for the Department's first year over the $4 million mark in total giving; and

• Third, the CFCNCA Participation Leadership Award for the increased participation rate going from 38 percent to 42 percent and adding more than 1,200 new givers.

The event began with the Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Boston Honor Guard presenting the Colors and Linda Gray, also of CBP offering a stirring rendition of our National Anthem.

Numerous indviudal awards and honors were distributed to DHS employees, departments and Loaned Exectutives, including a special recognition to the Department's Campaign Manager Elise Rand.

Overall DHS had numerous reasons to be impressed with their efforts in regards to the 2008 CFC:

• They gave more $3.5 million in total pledges and reached 109 percent of their departmental goal. That is an increase of more than $330,000 or 10 percent more than last year.

• Their 42 percent participation rate is more than twelve percent higher than the latest national average released by OPM.

• Their average gift of $360 dollars is more than $140 above the national average.

Considering that DHS did not even exist six years ago, and now they are the fourth largest department in the entire CFCNCA campaign based on total pledges, there is a great deal to be proud of what when it comes to what they have accomplished.

Ms. Washington offered these words at the conclusion of the ceremony, "You have my heartfelt congratulations on a job well done".