Washington, D.C. -- The Combined Federal Campaign posted a fifth-consecutive year of record pledges, with the federal community donating $273.1 million in 2007 to thousands of non-profit organizations across the country.

In a ceremony at the White House, Linda M. Springer, Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, led the honors of high-achieving campaigns and unsung heroes who committed their energies to plan, market and carryout the most successful Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) to date.

Springer expressed her pride in the federal community and praised federal and postal employees, and members of the United States military for their generosity.

"The CFC is about people helping people," Springer said of the campaign now in its 47^th year. "Federal employees feel good about the work they do for America, and I do believe their attitudes about work are part and parcel of their personal desire to support organizations that do so much good in their local communities or on a national basis."

While charities were recognized through donor pledges, one long-time federal employee drew attention for his record of involvement. Edward (Ed) Novak was given the CFC Leadership Award for his 10-year run as the Chair of the Local Federal Coordinating Committee of the CFC of Central Maryland, which he shepherded into becoming the third-largest campaign in the country. Novak, who retired in 2008, also has a history of community service.

During the autumn 2007 campaign, employees and military personnel in the Washington, D.C.-area pledged $60,799,022 to the National Capital Area CFC, the largest local campaign.

OPM administers the CFC, the world's largest workplace charity drive. In 2006, the campaign raised $271.6 million. Since its inception in 1961, the CFC has raised more than $6 billion.

CAMPAIGN AWARDS FOR HIGHEST PERCENTAGE YEARLY INCREASE

Campaigns over $1 Million:

Suncoast (FL) CFC

Puerto Rico CFC

Midlands Area (SC) CFC

Campaigns from $250,000 - $1 Million:

Lowcountry (SC) CFC

Northern Alaska CFC

Leavenworth (KS) CFC

Campaigns under $250,000:

North Arkansas CFC

Pennsylvania West CFC

River Cities (WV) CFC

CFC HEROES:

Captain Thomas Abell (Delaware CFC)

David Cowgill (Three Rivers CFC)

Dave Fenton (Kitsap and Mason Counties CFC)

Wendy Lubbe (Heartland CFC)

Mahurley Preston (Treasure Coast CFC)

Petty Officer Robert Pryor (Potomac CFC)

Lalo Reyna (Coastal Bend CFC)

Leslie Sanders (Los Angeles Area CFC)

Chris Taylor (Heartland CFC)

Colonel Tracy Tynan (Central Oklahoma CFC)

Rick Wilson (Kitsap and Mason Counties CFC)

CFC INNOVATORS

CFC of the National Capital Area (DC)

Vince Micone

Renee Acosta

CFC Overseas

Lou Torcia

Renee Acosta

Coastal Georgia CFC

Sandra Moore

Colonel Ed Wexler (Ret.)

Kitsap & Mason Counties (WA) CFC

Dawn Giordano

John Roberts

New York City CFC

Pat Amberg-Blyskal

Frank Ordonez