Bernice Redden has witnessed firsthand the power of the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC).
The Clearwater, FL, customer services supervisor credits several CFC charities with helping her son, Adrian, learn to walk after he was born with cerebral palsy in 1984.
“His limbs were so tight he couldn’t use them that well,” she said.
Adrian had surgery at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Tampa, FL, and spent the next 12 years regularly visiting the facility for leg brace re-fittings.
“They never asked for any money,” Redden said.
Each year, she uses the CFC to support Shriners, Easter Seals and the American Red Cross, as well as the United Negro College Fund.
“I’ve seen firsthand how you can benefit from charities that help children,” she said.
Redden is one of thousands of Postal Service employees who support the CFC, the world’s largest charity drive. The current campaign is underway through Jan. 12.
Other enthusiastic CFC supporters include Kathy Jones, who credits the Postal Employees Relief Fund (PERF) with helping her family after the 2011 tornado that devastated Joplin, MO.
“I lost my house and everything in it,” said Jones, a Marshfield, MO, customer services supervisor.
Her daughter’s car was among the possessions destroyed by the tornado’s 200-mile-per-hour winds.
“PERF sent enough money to replace the vehicle,” said Jones, who was already making CFC contributions to the fund before needing it herself.
“It was the worst time of our lives, but also the best time of our lives in terms of the kindness of the public and employees,” she said.
The CFC Blue and LiteBlue pages have guidelines on contributing to the campaign, including contact information for national and local campaign managers.