With the holiday season around the corner, NFFE invites its membership to get in the spirit of giving. NFFE members and federal workers are encouraged to make a donation to the Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (FEEA). FEEA provides needed assistance to federal employees and operates an Emergency Assistance program that provides no-interest loans and disaster grants to federal employees. FEEA also provides an annual merit-based scholarship program for federal employees and their families. FEEA also administers the Rick Brown Scholarship Fund, which NFFE created to honor Rick’s memory. This Fund annually awards two scholarships to NFFE members or their families who are pursuing a college education.
Recently, three NFFE locals and councils made generous donations to the FEEA fund. Those making donations included: Local 251, the Forest Service Council, and Local 1450.
NFFE Local 251 President Ken Dinsmore said that it was the great work of FEEA that spurred Local 251’s donation.
“From the Oklahoma City bombing to Hurricane Sandy, FEEA has been there for federal employees,” Dinsmore said. “We wanted to see [FEEA’s] great work continue for the folks in need.”
The Forest Service Council’s Secretary-Treasurer, Melissa Baumann, said that it was the impact of the furlough that led the council to recognize the importance of supporting federal employees through the FEEA fund.
“We never know when that next hardship will come along, how extensive it will be, and whether it will affect people close to us or those far away,” Baumann said. “If we are going to be able to care for the needs of our federal coworkers in times of hardship, we need to donate to FEEA when we are able.”
NFFE Local 1450 President and NFFE National Vice President Liz McDargh said it was the Forest Service Council’s donation that led to Local 1450 making a donation.
“[Making a donation] is a great idea and we are quite happy to follow the [Forest Service Council’s] lead,” McDargh said.
Before deciding to make the donation, there was a spirited discussion among the local’s membership. McDargh said that because of Local 1450’s small treasury, there was a lot of discussion surrounding what constituted a reasonable amount to donate.
NFFE asks all locals and councils to consider making a donation to FEEA this holiday season. It is important to lend a hand to brothers and sisters in need. No matter the donation size, each dollar makes a significant impact in the lives of federal employees and their families.
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FEEA is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) agency, primarily funded through federal employee contributions to FEEA CFC Pledge #11185 and donations to special relief funds. Since 1986, FEEA has provided more than $12.5 million in scholarships to civilian federal employees and their dependents. The FEEA Emergency Assistance Program has provided more than $10 million in financial assistance to federal families experiencing natural disasters such as floods, fires and hurricanes, and to those experiencing unforeseen personal emergencies such as illness or death in the family. For more information about FEEA, visit www.feea.org or call 303-933-7580.
