Dear Friends and Colleagues:

Making a World of Difference.  This year’s theme for the Gateway Combined Federal Campaign says it all.  The CFC truly is making a difference, because of you and your co-workers.  Every dollar adds up, to help people and improve the quality of the world around all of us. In last year’s campaign, you and your fellow federal employees in the Greater St. Louis area raised a record breaking $3,266,870 to benefit more than 1,575 non-profits in the Gateway CFC.  What a difference you made – now it is time to do it again!

 As chair of the Gateway CFC Leadership Committee, I’m giving my time, my energy, and some of my dollars, in a highly productive and efficient way that benefits many hundreds of charities.  I feel great in this role for the CFC – because it helps so many other people, neighbors next door and around the world.  I hope you will join me in supporting the CFC.

Please take a few minutes to look for organizations you care about in this Resource Guide, and remember, you can Make a World of Difference.  Please keep building on the great tradition of giving that we are known for here in the Gateway Region.  Payroll deduction is an easy and efficient way to give.  Through payroll deduction, you can spread your contribution across the entire year.

More than 2,500 charities are on the list this year. I think everyone will be able to find a program they care about, where they want to make a difference.  You can choose to:
Buy polio immunizations for five children
Buy warm blankets for refugee families somewhere in the world
Buy water purification tablets to provide clean drinking water
Bring a four-part series on bullying or conflict management to fifth graders
Supply a hearing aid to a low-income senior
Set up a homeless family in a transitional apartment, along with utilities and budget courses
Make a 24-hour crisis line available to assist victims of domestic violence
Buy several acres of tropical rainforest to protect natural areas vital to our global climate and species diversity
Screen 100 high-risk people for serious health conditions
Enable a veteran with a spinal cord injury to participate in both water and land therapy for a full year
Provide two weeks of daycare, including healthy food, for a toddler from a low-income family so his parents can seek employment
Spay or neuter an animal, helping slow down pet overpopulation problems
Sponsor a disabled athlete so he or she can compete in state-level sports events
Plant trees and build trails in public parks
Give school supplies to 20 needy children
and much, much more!

I encourage you to think about the difference that giving to the CFC makes, and join me in making a contribution to reach our goal of $3 million.  Every one can make a world of difference. Your gifts are appreciated, and they really add up. Thank you.

Bill McDonald

Area Director
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
St. Louis Chair, 2008-2009 Gateway Combined Federal
Campaign Leadership Committee