Campaign Leadership Mid-Campaign Speech

This speech is intended to be given as brief remarks during a regularly scheduled all-hands meeting or Commander’s call.

Hello Everyone,

I want to take just a couple of minutes to recognize the fantastic work of [Campaign Manager] and [his/her] outstanding campaign team for the work they’ve done for the Combined Federal Campaign so far. They planned a great Kickoff event and managed to make it both informative and fun. If you weren’t able to attend, all I can say is … you missed out! But don’t worry, I understand [Campaign Manager] and [his/her] team still have some fun and inspiring activities to come, including the upcoming [Show Some Love Day, Giving Tuesday, and International Volunteer Day].

I’d like to encourage all of you to Show Some Love through the CFC. I know there are many wonderful ways to give, but personally, I can’t think of a better way than through this campaign, where you can give to multiple, vetted charities at once, make a big difference over time with a small contribution per paycheck, and have full control over your personal information.

Now, if you’ll indulge me, I’d like to share just one quick story about why the CFC is so important to me personally. [Share personal story (preferred) –OR– use the following story, provided with permission from the author.]

“On October 19, 2009, my five-year-old son was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. We immediately took him to the local children’s hospital, where he began his first insulin therapy. That first night in the hospital with him, I lay awake in an armchair by my son’s bed, overwhelmed with a mass of feelings, from fear of the unknown and how our lives were all about to change, to immense gratitude for the doctors, nurses, and advanced technology that would, we were assured, make a normal life possible for our son.

During our three-day stay at that hospital, our lives were impacted by three nonprofit organizations, all of which are participants in the Combined Federal Campaign. First of all, there was the children’s hospital itself: a world-class facility with caring and compassionate staff who looked out for our every need and patiently educated us on how care for our little boy. On the second day, we were visited by a nonprofit that specializes in care for juvenile diabetes. They brought us a backpack that was filled with books and information for us as parents, but also with a children’s book and a special diabetic teddy bear named Rufus, who quickly became a friend to our son. The organization assured us that they were there to answer any questions and be a resource for us in the days ahead.

On the third day, a gentleman with an enormous sheep dog came knocking at the hospital room door. He was from a therapy animals organization—another CFC charity—and he was taking his dog from room to room visiting the children in the hospital. I watched in amazement while, for 10 wonderful minutes, my son completely forgot about having diabetes, and the fear and worry melted from his face as he petted and played with the dog. It was a wonderful moment for which I’ll always be grateful.

Today, I give—and my son gives too—because we know that every dollar makes a difference. Every dollar touches a life, and helps ensure that these amazing organizations will continue to be there for us in our time of need.”

-Written by a CFC staffer and contributor

With that, I’d like to encourage all of you to keep supporting this campaign. Your generosity is extremely valuable to those in need. In addition to your monetary contributions, the CFC now allows you to pledge your time and talent by volunteering with a CFC-participating charity. The CFC benefits so many worthy causes and people in need each year. The results of your CFC giving may not be immediately apparent to us. In fact, we may never get to see them at all. But I’ll tell you where giving will show up: it will show up as a smile on your face, a warm feeling in your heart—and as joy, comfort and relief for the people to whom YOU Show Some Love.

Thank you.