Every year, state employees may participate in three organized campaigns to help the charities of their choice. This Web page describes each campaign and provides links to more information. The campaigns also give state employees opportunities to volunteer -- to serve on a team with other volunteers or provide coordination and leadership to their own agencies.
 | In the fall of each year, state employees may participate in a combined charitable giving campaign. The professionally-run fund drive allows employees to tailor their giving to the causes and organizations they wish to support. Employees who take part can select from hundreds of charitable organizations from around Oregon. The drive provides an efficient and easy way for state employees to donate to charity. An employee can give through fund-raising activities sponsored by his or her agency, by a one-time gift, or through the convenience of monthly payroll deductions. A year-round Web site reports on the many activities of participating charities, giving employees an opportunity to see their money at work helping the needy, improving the environment, and making Oregon a better place. |
 | During the month of February, state employees go all out to collect food and funds for the Oregon Food Bank Network. The network provides emergency food to people in need throughout Oregon. All agencies, boards and commissions may participate in the food drive, and may enlist the support of community partners in their food- and fund-raising activities. The convenience of monthly payroll deduction allows state employees to extend their generosity all year. Employees may also make one-time gifts using cash, check or credit card. |
| Around mid-November, a curious happening takes place in state buildings around Oregon. Colorful donation boxes and holiday decorations appear as state employees celebrate their inner child and give toys to the Salvation Army's Toy for Joy program. The annual toy drive allows state employees to donate new, unwrapped toys for children ages 1 to 12. Agencies later display their donation boxes in the Capitol Galleria, demonstrating the generosity of employees. The Salvation Army depends heavily on this drive for a large portion of the toys it distributes during each December. Agencies participate in various ways sponsoring friendly internal competitions and events to raise donations. |
An administrative rule guides the state on what's appropriate regarding soliciting state employees for charitable causes. The following excerpt from OAR 121-030-0000 clarifies that state government restricts charity drives to the three campaigns listed above:
"No organized charitable solicitations of state employees in state offices, facilities or other places of employment shall be permitted without prior approval of the Director of the Department of Administrative Services. This rule excludes the Governor's annual food drive and the Toys for Joy program."
