32: National Capital Area/North VA

Doris D Bishop

Doris D Bishop
Department/Agency

FAA

Cause Area

Profile

fun-loving, motivational speaker, published author, teacher, community and church leader, and organizer.

What is the charitable cause you are most passionate about and why?

I am passionate about the Homeless populations because my dad built homes when I was a very small child. Everyone in the community had a home. No one seemed to be homeless. In addition, to that, I am equally passionate about feeding people because I lived on a farm. As a child, there was always plenty of food. Our farm in Southwestern, VA supplied food to the neighbors and townspeople.

Why do you give through the CFC?

I give to the Combined Federal Campaign because I can be the face of change to safely give to causes that help others. This year I chose to give to the House of Ruth, a battered woman's shelter in the DC Metropolitan Area. Additionally, I selected the Christ House as the men's shelter. It is such a critical need to create a healthier, safer, and harmonious environment for people who have been victimized by senseless violence and our unforeseen circumstances that creates a lack of affordable housing for individuals who are facing job loss, divorce, death, or any other unforeseen circumstance that may be out of their control. Through gifts like mine, and others, we can provide food, clothing and shelter to vulnerable populations with the goal of restoring their pride, dignity, and help them eventually become more productive citizens in the society who can empower, assist, and encourage others by passing on the blessings that they have received.

How do contributions through the CFC help your cause?

Contributions help feed and clothe the most vulnerable populations of people so that we can start to have less individuals dying in our large cities because they are homeless and helpless. The CFC is a legal and legitimate manner in which I, as a giver, can track my individual contributions, receive newsletters and circulars about the organizations that I financially support. Throughout the years, I have been giving clothes, beds, and all kinds of home furnishings to the Center for Community Non-violence Coalition (formerly referred to as the Mitch Snyder shelter)

Lizette Peter

Lizette Peter
Department/Agency

Peace Corps

Cause Area

Profile

lover of languages, fighter for humanity

What is the charitable cause you are most passionate about and why?

Housing insecurity deeply effects my DC community at a time when Afghan refugees are also desperate for a place to call home. I am committed to causes that support safe and affordable housing options for all DC residents.

Why do you give through the CFC?

CFC makes it very easy not only to learn about an agency's mission, but also to make a contribution, either in volunteer hours or payroll deduction, to the agencies whose missions I care most deeply about.

How do contributions through the CFC help your cause?

I am confident that organizations I support through CFC--like Pathways to House, Everyone Home, and Homes Not Borders--are using my donations and volunteer hours to improve access to houseing for the most vulnerable people in my community.

Natalie Mickelsen

Natalie Mickelsen
Department/Agency

FDA OGPS India Office

Profile

parent, supervisor, athlete

What is the charitable cause you are most passionate about and why?

Oh, I wish I could pick one. My husband and I have a discussion and limit to four each year. We are generally most passionate about: veteran's mental health support, as they were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice; preservation of public wild areas, because everyone should have access to nature; reproductive rights, because we chose to be parents but we are in no place to judge the situations of others; and legal support for human rights violations because not everyone facing injustice has the means to be represented.

Why do you give through the CFC?

I love that I can make a decision at the beginning of the year and it continues to make a difference throughout the year.

How do contributions through the CFC help your cause?

CFC has the power to generate positive change through hundreds of thousands of donations.

Nanyamka Payne

Nanyamka Payne
Department/Agency

General Services Administration/Office of Civil Rights

Profile

Driven. Committed. Fearless.

What is the charitable cause you are most passionate about and why?

Activate Good

The title of this organization instantly drew me in. It speaks to what you have to do each day by activating your inner winner to produce good. I want these achievers to reach their goals by supporting them not only financially and virtually. I am passionate about encouraging others to find the good in themselves no matter what they face in this life.

Why do you give through the CFC?

It's user friendly. I love the breakdown between donations and hours volunteered. I know that the monies are going to further grow my charities and increase the government's mission.

How do contributions through the CFC help your cause?

I love my family. Activate Good enriches lives by the community work they are doing to build leaders and change in the Triangle, NC area. I appreciate all you are doing. Keep up the award-winning work and I am rooting for you to win! ?

Katherine Withers

Katherine Withers
Department/Agency

Department of Interior - Geological Survey

Cause Area

Profile

Beach bum, dog mom, traveler

What is the charitable cause you are most passionate about and why?

A charitable cause that I am most passionate about is helping those in need. I know that sounds pretty broad and that's because it is. I love to help children, adults, and even animals! There's no shortage of where my help can be allocated to. From giving food to animals and people, giving clothes, donating to food pantries, and donating to children's hospitals, etc., I try to have a hand in everything to ensure I am helping everyone from different needs and backgrounds.

I am passionate about charity and getting involved with the community because of one very special person in my life: my grandmother. Although she may be gone now, she will forever live on in my heart. Growing up, my grandma would give to those in need. Countless of times I would see her take families in need under her wing. She would buy them Christmas gifts for the children so they would have something to open up on Christmas Day. Sometimes she would buy the family groceries so they could make a Thanksgiving meal and enjoy Thanksgiving. When the school year came back around in the Fall, she would go out and purchase school supplies and sometimes even new clothes to give the family for the children. She would also have myself and my younger brother go through our clothes at the end of each year, and we would bag them up and give them to those who needed them.

This is why I am passionate about giving back to the community because from a very early age, I realized that my grandma was a very selfless person. I recognized that and she was who I wanted to be when I grew up. So I started taking part in the community and giving to those in need, because I wanted to be just as selfless and kind as she was.

Why do you give through the CFC?

I give to CFC because I know that I am making a difference in at least one person or animal's life. It might not seem like much to those of us who are fortunate, but to those who are less fortunate it means the world to them. Knowing that warms my heart and motivates me to do more.

How do contributions through the CFC help your cause?

Contributions through CFC help my cause in a variety of ways. I think that is very neat that CFC has a different theme each week. Throughout the year, CFC covers a lot of charitable causes for everyone. This ensures that no one is left out. Knowing that a everyone gets included is what makes me happy. Again, I like to help everyone from humans to animals, so it's nice to see that CFC covers all of those causes. Contributions also help not only CFC, but those in need. Donating to charities is a kind and selfless thing to do.

David McClimans

David McClimans
Department/Agency

Department of Homeland Security, Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office

Cause Area

Profile

Army Veteran, Deputy Chief of Staff, Runner, Cyclist, World Traveler

What is the charitable cause you are most passionate about and why?

Medical Research: In 2007 when my mom was diagnosed with cancer, lauded scientists, doctors, and amazing donors like you made her treatment possible and we witnessed her full recovery. For those of who donated to cancer research, you have personally touched my life and saved my mother’s. For that, I would like to thank every one of you.

Why do you give through the CFC?

Nothing worse then giving to an unvetted charity like those brave Krakatoans East of Java...lol (Remember this funny Seinfeld episode?)
The CFC is a simple and convenient way to connect with thousands of vetted charities, while benefitting the automatic tax deductions!

How do contributions through the CFC help your cause?

Donors like you can accelerate research breakthroughs that patients with uncurbable medical conditions urgently need.