Washington, D.C. -- Another record-setting charity drive and the fourth consecutive year of pledge increases to the Combined Federal Campaign brought U.S. Office of Personnel Management Director Linda M. Springer to the White House today to honor the "Heroes" and "Innovators" of the 2006 charity drive. She also presented a single "Leadership Award" and recognized campaigns that achieved the highest percentage increase over the previous year.

The 2006 CFC took place during the waning weeks of summer into the late chill of autumn, receiving pledges totaling $271.6 from federal and postal employees, and military personnel. Springer said the results of last year's campaign epitomize the esprit de corps and generosity of the entire federal community.

"The men and women who ‘work for America' in any one of a hundred federal agencies or by proudly wearing one of the uniforms of our nation's military do so out of a desire to serve their fellow citizens," said Springer. "The tally of the most recent CFC confirms that their interest in serving others extends into their philanthropic practices."

The CFC Leadership Award was presented to Susanne Franza Valdez, Executive Director of the Greater St. Louis Federal Executive Board. Valdez, who retired in March 2007, laid the groundwork for a new business climate within the Gateway CFC, resulting in a reduction of the campaign's administrative expenses and a positive awareness of the annual charity drive. Despite a nearly 10 percent decrease in federal employment levels in the Greater St. Louis area, pledges rose to $3.2 million in 2006, from $2.8 million in 2002, a 14 percent increase.

Employees and military personnel in the National Capital Area CFC, the largest local campaign, made pledges totaling more than $60 million, an increase of more than $2.4 million over 2005 pledges.

OPM administers the CFC, the world's largest workplace charity drive. In 2005, the campaign raised $268.5 million. Since its inception in 1961, the federal community has donated more than $5.75 billion to the CFC.

CAMPAIGN AWARDS FOR HIGHEST PERCENTAGE YEARLY INCREASE

Campaigns over $1 Million:

• Greater New Orleans Area CFC
• North Central Texas CFC
• Three Rivers CFC

Campaigns from $250,000 - $1 Million:

• Southern Mississippi CFC
• Coastal Georgia CFC
• Onslow County CFC

Campaigns under $250,000:

• San Juan County CFC
• Southern Illinois CFC
• Mojave Valley CFC

CFC Heroes

• Kirk Brown, U.S. NORAD NORTHCOM (CFC of the Pikes Peak Region)
• Sheila Cash-Carter, U.S. Postal Service (CFC of the National Capital Area)
• David Cowgill, Department of Veterans Affairs (Three Rivers CFC)
• Cheryl O. Foster-Anderson, U.S. Army, Fort Sill, (Lawton CFC)
• SMSgt Gail Henderson, U.S. Air Force Academy (CFC of the Pikes Peak Region)
• Estelle Jammes, U.S. Coast Guard (CFC of Northeast Florida/Southeast Georgia)
• Debra Laratonda, U.S. Postal Service (Southern Nevada CFC)
• Captain Zambia Remley, U.S. Army (Overseas CFC)
• Lajeana Shoffner, Internal Revenue Service (Fresno-Madera CFC)
• Anthony Stevens, Department of Veterans Affairs (Heart of Ohio CFC)
• Mike Thomas, U.S. Postal Service (CFC of the Pikes Peak Region)

CFC Innovators

• CFC of the National Capital Area
• CFC of the Pikes Peak Region
• Kitsap-Mason County CFC
• Southwest Georgia CFC

CFC Leadership Award

• Susanne Franza Valdez (retired)