Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Office of Personnel Management Deputy Director Dan G. Blair has honored nine "heroes" of the record-setting 2003 Combined Federal Campaign during a White House ceremony.

Blair also honored five campaigns from across the country that used creativity and innovation to increase participation rates that attracted pledges totaling $248.5 million last autumn.

The nine individuals who received a CFC Heroes award serve America as federal civil servants, Postal Service employees and active members of the military.

"Public service and charitable giving go hand-in-hand," said Blair. "The selflessness that draws many to public service also prompts our Federal workers to contribute to and work in support of the CFC program. There's a real connection -- the CFC is one of our best examples of dedicated public service."

Pledges to the 2003 CFC increased 5 percent over the previous year. Employees and military personnel in the National Capital Area CFC, the largest local campaign, made pledges totaling $50.7 million.

2003 CFC Award Winners

CAMPAIGN AWARDS FOR HIGHEST PERCENT DOLLAR INCREASE

Campaigns over $1 Million:

Lake County CFC (63.0 percent)

Overseas CFC (19.8 percent)

Southeastern North Carolina CFC (17.0 percent)

Campaigns from $250,000 to $1 million:

Rio Grande Valley CFC (42.2 percent)

Tri-Community CFC (27.2 percent)

Northern Alaska CFC (25.4 percent)

Campaigns under $250,000:

Warren County CFC (190.2 percent)

Boyd-Greenup-Lawrence-Carter Counties CFC (134.1 percent)

Northwest Arkansas CFC (62.6 percent)

INNOVATOR AWARDS

CFC of the Pikes Peak Region

Denver Metropolitan Area CFC

CFC of the National Capital Area

Gateway CFC

CFC of Northeast Florida/Southeast Georgia

CFC LEADERSHIP AWARD

Doug Bannick, PCFO Coordinator,

CFC of the Pikes Peak Region

CFC HEROES

Military:

Chief Mitchell Bonnette, Northeast Florida/Southeast Georgia CFC

Captain Tim Cummings, Southern Nevada CFC

Staff Sergeant Catherine Lammon, Pikes Peak Region CFC

Postal Service:

Diane Grant, Northeast Florida/Southeast Georgia CFC

Sherry McGowan, Research Triangle CFC

Patricia Nelson, San Bernardino Area CFC

Civilian:

Suzan Bowman, Smoky Mountain Region CFC

Robert Lyons, CFC of the Massachusetts Bay

Duncan Nims, Southwestern Idaho CFC

Our mission is to Recruit, Retain and Honor a World-Class Workforce to Serve the American People. OPM supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.