Contact
Jerry Berg
Media Relations Department
(256) 544-0034
jerry.berg@msfc.nasa.gov

Release: 00-327

Marshall employees pledge $504,000 to charities

"Care enough to share enough," the theme for this year’s federal gift-giving program, was taken to heart by employees of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., who topped their goal by $69,000 to reach a total pledge of $504,000.

Marshall Center employees -- civil servants, retirees and on-site contractors — exceeded their $435,000 goal during the Combined Federal Campaign to benefit charitable organizations at the local, national and international levels.

<<b> The Combined Federal Campaign brings all federal fund-raising efforts under one umbrella through a single campaign conducted once a year on behalf of all authorized charitable organizations.

The campaign benefits United Way agencies of Madison and Marshall counties and the Shoals, the National Voluntary Health Agencies of Alabama Inc. and local unaffiliated agencies.

"The generous contributions given by Marshall employees will greatly help the less fortunate in our community," said Roslin Hicks, chairwoman of Marshall's Combined Federal Campaign.

During the six-week campaign, 78 percent of Marshall's civil service employees signed up to participate in the program. "The average gift per participant was more than $245," said Hicks. "Marshall employees really do care about their community."

Marshall employees also donated their time and energy by volunteering at many local organizations, including Care Assurance System for the Aging and Homebound, Christmas Charities Year-round Inc., Habitat for Humanity, the Salvation Army and the Hospital Hospitality House.

"We held Community Service Days in October to allow Marshall employees to work at some of the recipient organizations," said Hicks. More than 350 Center employees helped build wheelchair ramps, did yard work and housework, restored used toys and prepared and served food.

"It gave us an opportunity to learn more about the organizations and families we are helping," Hicks said, "It was both fun and rewarding."

During the campaign, Gerri Mils of Christmas Charities Year-round Inc. and Mary Lou Kraatz of Alzheimer’s Association of North Alabama Chapter were two of the numerous agency representatives who met with Marshall employees to discuss their recipient agencies.

Bus tours gave Marshall employees a first-hand look at several area charities -- the Children's Hospital of Alabama, Senior Center Mission, Harris Home for Children, Habitat for Humanity, United Cerebral Palsy of Huntsville and Christmas Charities Year-round Inc.

"This was a great year for the campaign," said Hicks. "The Marshall Center always stands out in the Tennessee Valley campaign in the openhanded way we give and show our support."