Joe Nicholson/The Olympian
Dennis Connors of Olympia chooses a loaf of bread during Friday's distribution at the Thurston County Food Bank in downtown Olympia. The food bank received $98,100 -- almost 10 percent of its yearly budget -- in 2001 from the state's Combined Fund Drive.

Charity begins at work

State workers filled Combined Fund Drive coffers with $4.75 million

FARHANAZ KERMALLI, THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published Monday, March 4, 2002

OLYMPIA -- During a year in which tragedy inspired generosity across the nation, workers at state agencies gave more than ever before.

Since 1985, the Combined Fund Drive, a volunteer group with the participation of 29,000 state employees, has raised money for local, national and international charities.

While some charities felt the loss of revenue when attention focused on Sept. 11 relief groups, the fund drive posted an increase of $371,000 in donations and raised a total of $4.75 million in 2001.

"I think state employees weren't affected," said Randy Ryan, program manager for the fund drive. The Sept. 11 attacks enhanced some awareness, he said.

Ryan said he hopes the new goal of $5 million will be reached this year.

The fund drive provides state employees three methods of donation: deductions from each paycheck, a one-time donation in January or writing a personal check.

State employees can choose to elect a recipient or donate to a list of groups. More than 1,900 charities received contributions in 2001.

DSHS tries for more

Employees at the Department of Social and Health Services are hoping to increase participation in their campaign.

"DSHS employees are typically very generous," said Deanna Rankos of the DSHS campaign team. "There's lots of giving going on, and we're trying to channel that through the Combined Fund Drive.

"It provides an easy way to coordinate giving."

DSHS raised $636,983 last year, with 28 percent of the department's employees participating.

The giving, Rankos said, is "usually a response they see as a need from clients."

This year, DSHS is planning a run-walk marathon and will continue its online auction and change drive to attract contributions.

Chili, cookies and cars

The Department of Corrections has a 62 percent participation rate in its Olympia headquarters, where 225 employees raised $27,649 last year. Statewide, the department raised $167,031 in 2001.

Bob Gach, the fund drive coordinator for Corrections, said the system of paycheck deductions is especially beneficial for charities.

"Participation is key," he said. "The money continues to be withdrawn year after year and it's then doled out to local charities, which means they can plan on the use of the donations throughout the year."

Corrections workers plan events to raise money for the fund drive, including a car show, car wash, bake sale and chili cook-off.

A tricycle race between two deputy secretaries raised more than $3,000 last year.

Reaching out

Thurston County-based state employees raised $1.3 million in 2001, and 50 percent of that money left South Sound.

"There's a lot international and national organizations in the campaign," Ryan said.

The fund drive does, however, mandate that national organizations provide services in the state.

The United Way of Thurston County received $208,278 from the fund drive's 2001 campaign, an 18 percent increase from 2000.

"We're thrilled with state employees," said Pam Toal, executive director of the county chapter. "During the time the Combined Fund Drive was going on, there was a drive for disaster relief, but we didn't get forgotten.

"They're terrific."

One of the major local recipients of fund drive donations is the Thurston County Food Bank, which in 2001 received $98,100 -- almost 10 percent of its annual budget.

The fund drive is an easy way to reach all state employees, said the food bank's executive director, Jan Putnam.

"Because of the emphasis on the drive itself, it makes it easier to (communicate) the goals of the food bank and what out mission is," she said. "Getting out written materials to the Combined Fund Drive is much easier than getting them out to individuals."

The food bank is also a top recipient of donations from the state Lottery, an agency active in raising money outside of the fund drive.

In 1997, a challenge issued by a new director motivated the agency to incorporate community outreach into sponsorships of sports teams and local fairs.

As special events coordinator for the Lottery, Terri Gedde Butler has witnessed the involvement of about 80 county-based Lottery employees.

"Our people here -- it's been overwhelming," Butler said. "We adopt two to three families during Christmastime, and there's an outpouring of generosity."

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The Olympian Copyright 2002

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