Denver and Salt Lake City – Charitable donations from local federal employees are up by 127 percent compared to last year at this time, the Mountain States Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) has announced. Today, federal employees in the Mountain States region, one of 36 CFC zones across the country, have raised more than $1.6 million—second only to the National Capital Area CFC—and are on track to improve upon last year’s total of $3.46 million.
With this positive momentum, the campaign is now seeking charity applicants for next year’s CFC drive. Charities may apply at https://cfccharities.opm.gov from today through January 31, 2019.
“We’re thrilled by this outpouring of generosity from our local federal employees,” said Michelle Stewart, Co-Chair of the Mountain States CFC’s Local Federal Coordinating Committee and a local employee with the Bureau of Reclamation. “This result also shows what an exciting time it is to be a participating non-profit organization eligible to receive donations through the CFC. We encourage all eligible 501(c)(3) non-profits to apply in 2019.”
The campaign’s results are bolstered by contributions from the over 140,000 local federal retirees, who are now eligible to support charities through the CFC as they did while still engaged in full-time federal service. With federal retirees joining federal contractors, who also may give if they choose, the campaign now has double the potential donor market for contributions.
Other factors contributing toward the increase include an improved online giving experience at https://cfcgiving.opm.gov, new ways for donors to engage with charities such as the interactive “virtual” charity fair now available at http://www.mountainstatescfc.org/virtual-charity-fair-cause , improved analytics and reporting mechanisms, and the ability for federal employees to volunteer time as well as money. To date, federal employees in the Mountain States zone have pledged nearly 3,000 hours of volunteer service valued at over $60,000.
Federal employees, federal retirees, and federal government contractors can learn more about the Mountain States CFC and sign up to donate time and/or volunteer service at either mountainstatescfc.org or opm.gov/ShowSomeLoveCFC.
About the Combined Federal Campaign
Established by executive order in 1961, the Combined Federal Campaign is the world's largest and most successful annual workplace charity campaign, raising millions of dollars each year for local, national, and international nonprofit organizations. The mission of the CFC is to promote and support philanthropy through a program that is employee focused, cost-efficient, and effective in providing all federal employees and federal retirees the opportunity to improve the quality of life for all. Since 1961, the campaign has raised more than $8.2 billion for charitable causes.
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Perdue meets with former Secretaries of Agriculture
(Washington, D.C., December 14, 2018) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue met with four former U.S. Secretaries of Agriculture today at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Those in attendance included former Secretaries John Block, Dan Glickman, Ann Veneman, and Mike Johanns. The Secretaries discussed several issues including trade, wildfires, agriculture research, infrastructure, cell-based meat, and rural prosperity.
(From left to right: Secretary Perdue, former Secretaries Mike Johanns, Ann Veneman, Dan Glickman, and John Block)
(You may click HERE or on the images above to view more hi-rez photos from today’s meeting as they become available)
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Utah Colleges Now Required to Inform Students of Preventable Disease Risks
Utah Nurse Practitioners strongly support Utah Board of Regents revised Policy 714
SALT LAKE CITY—Dec. XX, 2018—Statewide nurse practitioners share unified support of The Utah Board of Regents (UBOR) steps toward improving the health of college students by revising Policy 714, meaning that institutions with on-campus housing must provide new students with information regarding symptoms and risks of immunization-preventable diseases. Additionally, colleges and universities are now required to educate students on the current immunization recommendations for college-age students, including the benefits and risks of vaccination. Organizations coming together in support include Utah Nurse Practitioners, Utah Chapter of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, and Utah Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners.
The high-stress life of a college student combined with the close quarters associated with dormitory living make college campuses a ripe breeding ground for viruses and bacteria, spurring them to rapidly spread. According to the CDC, mumps outbreaks have been on the rise over the past three years and meningococcal meningitis outbreaks have occurred, carrying several different strains of the bacteria.
“Hearing the personal story of a mother who lost her son to Meningitis B, and to hear the sadness and pain in her voice when it could’ve been prevented, left an immense impact on me,” said Beth Luthy from the Utah Nurse Practitioners. Luthy is an Associate Professor of nursing at Brigham Young University and family nurse practitioner in Utah County. “She is living out the worst-case scenario of not getting vaccinated. It’s just heartbreaking. These victims are sons, daughters, family and friends and we need people to know that even one death is too many.”
One of the first decisions a high school graduate can make as an adult is to get vaccinated. Not only to protect themselves, but to be a part of creating a healthier community. Students are encouraged to talk to their healthcare provider for further information on how they can protect themselves from such spreadable diseases.
“The horror of how swiftly this illness leads to death is eye opening. One minute they are fine and within 24 hours they can be gone,” said Gaye Ray of the Utah Chapter of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. “This is real, and we are grateful to see UBOR take this progressive lead in making college campuses healthier for everyone.”
“Families with college students should feel comfort in knowing their child is safe and educated on Meningitis B risks,” said Michael Thomas of the Utah Chapter of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association. “We are hopeful that this required vaccine education will be the first step towards a larger movement in the fight against Meningitis B.”
Visit https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/adult.html for an excellent resource for college-age immunization recommendations.
