Secretary Haaland and OPM Director Ahuja Highlight Importance of Charitable Giving During Environmental Clean-up Event

Date: Monday, December 6, 2021
Contact: Interior_Press@ios.doi.gov

WASHINGTON — To commemorate International Volunteer Day, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Kiran Ahuja and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland volunteered this past Saturday at the Anacostia Watershed Society’s Nash Run Trash Trap cleanup in Washington, D.C., an effort focused on creating a trash-free Anacostia River. During the event, Secretary Haaland and Director Ahuja highlighted the importance of the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), the federal government’s employee-focused and cost-efficient philanthropic initiative to improve the quality of life for those in need. The CFC is chaired by Director Ahuja with Secretary Haaland serving as the honorary co-chair for this cycle.

“Not only does the CFC allow the federal community to have a positive impact on charitable causes around the world, but it also offers a wide variety of ways to give back,” said Director Ahuja. “From payroll deduction to mobile app giving, to volunteer time like Secretary Haaland and I just did, the CFC ensures every participant can contribute in a way that’s right for them. These are hard times for so many people across the country and around the world, but the CFC allows the federal community to be the face of change that’s needed most right now. No contribution is too small, and together, we can make all the difference in the world.”

“When I was working in communities across New Mexico, I learned that any amount of time or money that someone gives can make a huge difference in community efforts. The government-wide philanthropy efforts from the CFC can help pay staff at charitable organizations, provide supplies for communities in need, increase the impact of a volunteer event, and ultimately can go a long way to helping improve quality of life for our neighbors,” said Secretary Haaland. “As families across the country prepare to spend the holidays with their loved ones, I am so proud to help lead our federal efforts to remember those in need and help the causes that we hold close to our hearts.”

This expansive voluntary philanthropy program has resulted in over $8.5 billion in pledges from federal employees since 1961. The CFC is known to be the most inclusive and expansive workplace giving campaign in the world, benefitting over 5,000 nonprofit charitable organizations. These organizations range from nascent community groups to large, well-known charities. The Anacostia Watershed Society—where Director Ahuja and Secretary Haaland volunteered—is a participating CFC organization. Since its inception in 1989, it has worked tirelessly to keep the Anacostia River clean.

Giving through the CFC is open now through January 15, 2022. This year, in addition to the online CFC Giving System, an enhanced CFC Giving Mobile App for Apple and Android devices allows donors to pledge on the go through charity fairs, campaign events, and more. Visit the CFC Giving System today to create an account and pledge to the charities of your choice.

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