"We all work for different organizations and agencies, in different places and wear different uniforms but we all have a common bond - we as federal employees come together each year to run a successful Combined Federal Campaign. All of you truly make a difference,"

From left, Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) Loaned Executives CS1 Dempsey Daniels of NAS Jax Supply Department and Lt. Matt Lesser of NAS Jax Public Works Center proudly display their CFC Loaned Executives of the Year awards after receiving them from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Field Office Director, J. Nicholas Shelley and Commander, Navy Region Southeast Chief of Staff Capt. Lawrence Cotton during the 2005 CFC Celebration Program Feb. 2. Photos by Kaylee LaRocque

These remarks, given at a grand celebration at the Naval Air Station Jacksonville Officers' Club by U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development's (HUD) Jacksonville Field Office Director J. Nicholas Shelley, ended the 2005 Northeast Florida/ Southeast Georgia Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), which generated $2,246,594 in contributions that will be distributed among the non-profit organizations approved by a special committee to become recipients. This is the sixth consecutive year the drive has topped 2 million.

"What a terrific time it is that we can get together today and celebrate the hard work and success you've had during the 2005 campaign. The results achieved by the military, federal employees and United States postal workers in the Northeast Florida/Southeast Georgia area will make an impact in the lives of thousands of people in our local community, around the nation and around the world," said Commander, Navy Region Southeast Chief of Staff Capt. Lawrence Cotton during the celebration. "Be proud of your work and know that you have improved the quality of life of people in need and know that you have brightened their future."

Although the campaign proved to be a huge success, some wondered how the hurricane devastation on the Gulf Coast would affect the overall outcome. The region did remarkably well overall - far exceeding the goal. In the midst of the devastation from the hurricanes, the contributions for the region were great," added Commander, Navy Region Southeast CFC Chairperson Lt. Cmdr. Liz Veramendi. "Thank you to all of you for your generous support for time, energy and ideas that make our CFC so great."

For more information, visit www.cfc-at-work.org.