Carol Kosh, administrative officer in the Office of Extramural Research, usually doesn’t show up for work in costume. But when NIH deputy director for extramural research Dr. Norka Ruiz Bravo encouraged her staff to dress up for the annual Halloween party, Kosh got inspired.

“I was trying to think of something creative,” she says. As OER’s CFC team captain, she already had the campaign’s promotional posters. She twinned them like sandwich boards, added Monopoly money and pledge cards and voila! “Everybody loved it. They got the idea they needed to give.”

Kosh got lots of support from Executive Office program advisor Janie Kuhn, who calls Kosh part of her “dream team. She’s creative, enthusiastic and a joy to work with. Carol and the rest of the team’s efforts will have a significant impact on the lives of many.” Laverne Stringfield, OD executive officer, heads up their effort.

A 28-year veteran of NIH, Kosh worked in Bldg. 10 until last year, when she transferred to OER. While in the CC, she worked her way up from teenage volunteer to stay-in-school student, office manager and AO technician to her current position as AO.

“When you’re in Bldg. 10 you see so much—the families with little children pushing their IVs around. I used to be an office manager in a lab,” Kosh recalls, “and for many years I ordered supplies and medications. I know what impact NIH has in the community and worldwide. CFC is close to my heart.”—Belle Waring

When you think of philanthropy, you probably think of high-profile foundations and corporations that give generously to charity. But you might not realize that charities would be nowhere without you, the individual donor. Last year in the U.S., for example, individual donations added up to $216 billion—83 percent of all charitable giving.

Like most people, you probably give to one or more charitable causes in any given year. You might ask, “Why should I go through the Combined Federal Campaign to support my favorite charity?” Here are a few reasons:

• More of your money goes to a charity’s programs when you donate through CFC. That’s because CFC contributions reduce a charity’s overhead, allowing it to spend less on fundraising and processing numerous separate donations and more on programs.
• It’s easy and fast for you. The catalogue of some 3,000 charities and the pledge form are delivered right to your office. You can donate to any number of charities with a single check or pledge form. And the money goes only to those charities you’ve selected.
• You don’t have to pay all at once. If you use the payroll deduction option, your contribution is divided into 26 installments.
• Record keeping is a snap with payroll deduction—your year-end pay stub serves as your tax receipt.

So remember, not only will your CFC donation help your favorite cause, but also making that donation will be fast and easy for you!