Clinical Center News
Dec 2022 / Jan 2023

CFC's annual virtual Halloween Charity Fair and Costume Contest

Costume contest winners
Karina Bridges and team with the NIH Clinical Center PACU created costumes inspired by Minions and won first.
 
Costume contest winners
The NIH Clinical Center PACU created costumes inspired by Minions and won first.
 

The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) Halloween Charity Fair and Costume Contest was held virtually on October 27. The CFC provides an easy way for federal employees to donate to thousands of organizations.

This fun competition involved ten NIH employees showing off their creative costumes to raise awareness about the campaign and NIH's donation goal of $1 million. In addition, three charities – Active Minds, 4PAWS Rescue Team, Inc., and The Thomas Gaiter Foundation – shared information about their missions. Although a small pool participated in the event, more than 5,000 charities are participating in the CFC this year.

Costume contest winners were selected by a panel of three NIH leaders – the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities' Executive Officer, Kimberly Allen, Deputy Director, Dr. Monica Webb Hopper, and Chief Administrative Officer, Julie Anderson.

Some notable costumes were inspired by Star Wars, Jurassic Park and Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. Winners include Karina Bridges and the Clinical Center's PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit) team with their Minions team costume in first place, Kazeem Babatunde from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in second place and Michael Vance from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in third place.

"The CFC Halloween Charity Fair and Costume Contest was another opportunity to raise awareness about the CFC and keep the campaign visible," said Debra Gale, CFC NIH Co-Lead.

"This event gave NIH'ers a chance to meet three CFC charity speakers with different and meaningful missions and also cheer on ten enthusiastic participants with an array of imaginative costumes and CFC messages," added Monica Hanson, CFC NIH Co-Lead.

While some may have thought they were just viewing another contest, each contestant crafted a unique message as to why they give to the CFC and the benefits of giving.

"I echo their message and truly agree that no matter what cause you care about, the CFC has a charity that fits your passion. Together our gifts, whether large or small, brings help and hope to people and causes in need," added Gale.

The Clinical Center's donation goal (NIH Staff Only) is 60 thousand dollars.

Staff can learn more about contributing.

- Janice Duran

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