Opportunity is defined as a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something.
Even better is when an opportunity allows those circumstances to lead to something good that benefits a community.

"The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) is an opportunity for local nonprofits in Pierce, Thurston and Lewis Counties to solicit support from federal employees," wrote Kelvin Ceasar, director of CFC for the South Puget Sound, in an e-mail.

Taking the lead in organizing and promoting the local CFC is the United Way of Pierce County. The organization works from the heart to unite caring individuals to tackle tough community challenges.  The United Way measures its success by leading collaboratively, raising and investing funds strategically, promoting advocacy and engaging volunteers.

The CFC is vital to the United Way's success.

This year's campaign began Sept. 1 and will end Dec. 15.  The theme is "You can change a life."

The CFC is an employee benefit for federal employees.  It provides them access to information about literally thousands of worthy nonprofits operating locally, nationally and internationally, and provides the opportunity to contribute.

One of 68 local charities that federal employees can support, the United Way of Pierce County works to build families, ensure a strong academic start for children, provide chances for low-income children to be reading at grade level by the end of the third gradeand meet the basic needs of food, housing and other essentials for families in Pierce County.

"No CFC dollars go to supporting the United Way beyond those dollars that are specifically pledged to the United Way of Pierce County by donors," continued Ceasar.

Each CFC has a Local Campaign Coordinating Committee, or LCCC.  This committee is comprised of senior level federal employees, and the LCCC chairperson for this area is Col. Daniel Morgan, commander, Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Lending their expertise to the campaign are representatives from the Madigan Army Medical Center, the American Lake VA Hospital, and the US Postal Service.

Last year, local federal employees pledged more than $838,000.

"Our hope for this year is that the 2015 campaign will do as well or better; our goal is to ensure that every federal employee in Pierce, Thurston and Lewis counties is given the opportunity to support the charity of their choice," Ceasar said.

The United Way of Pierce County is located at 1501 Pacific Ave., Suite 400 in Tacoma.

The United Way's CFC contribution number is 34729.

For more information, contact Ceasar at cfc-sps@uwpc.org or 253.597.4257.