Caring Federal Community: Donald and Jonell Calloway
Military, postal and federal cvilian employees give annually to the United Way campaign through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) by selecting Code No. 4000. Many CFC workers are members of the Charmaine Chapman Society, African Americans who contribute $1,000 or more to the annual campaign.
For Donald and Jonell Calloway, volunteering and charitable giving is a family affair. The roots of their commitment to giving began in their youth as they observed how their parents shared what little they had with others.
“It comes as no surprise that our children have garnered these same values,” said Jonell. “For the Calloways, giving is a family thing that will transcend generations. Giving is what we’ve always done, and it’s what we will always do.”
As federal employees, the Calloways make their charitable donations to the United Way of Greater St. Louis through the Combined Federal Campaign, the Caring Federal Community of military, postal and federal civilian workers. They have been contributors to the CFC for 34 years, since beginning their federal careers.
Donald Calloway Sr. is equal employment opportunity manager for the Department of the Army; Jonell is director of Education for the U.S. Army Reserve.
“We started contributing just $5 per pay period and that small amount has grown exponentially, in that we have quadrupled it many times. We consider it a painless way to give because it is by payroll deduction. We have contributed for so long that we don’t notice,” said Jonell.
Many CFC workers select United Way as their agency of choice because the charitable dollars support a broad range of programs that touch the lives of one million people each year. And investments are effectively managed for the greatest impact. More than 90 cents of every dollar United Way receives goes directly to help people in need.
The Calloways were already making leadership-giving level contributions when the United Way’s Charmaine Chapman Society began in 1994; they became members the following year. The Charmaine Chapman Society recognizes African Americans who give $1,000 or more to the annual United Way campaign.
“Joining the Chapman Society was a natural thing for us to do. We are proud to be associated with hundreds of other African Americans that have the same interest in giving as we do,” they said.
The Calloways are also involved with United Way and its network of agencies. “When our three children were younger,” said Donald, “one of our greatest concerns was who would care for them during the summer break. Mathews-Dickey solved that concern. In addition to its being a safe summer haven, it was also a place where our children could be nurtured and receive academic tutoring, computer literacy and leadership skills.”
Jonell serves on the United Way Allocations Panel that reviews member agencies for efficiency and effectiveness. The family volunteers at the Mathews-Dickey Boys’ and Girls’ Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Boy Scouts of America, all member agencies.
These United Way agencies are among nearly 60 agencies that primarily serve African Americans. Almost $15.1 million, or 33 percent, of all United Way funds are allocated to organizations that predominantly serve African Americans. In all, there are 200 United Way agencies and organizations that provide vital health and human services in 16 counties throughout Missouri and Illinois.
In 2004, 570 Chapman Society members each contributed $1,000 or more to the United Way campaign; many of them were CFC contributors.
“We are planting seeds through our giving so that our efforts will continue to live long after we are gone. Each opportunity to give is a more humbling experience and an honor. We want to leave a legacy that we made a difference in the lives of others because we cared and we shared,” the Calloways said.
For more information on the Charmaine Chapman Society, call (314) 539-4116 or visit PledgeUnitedWay.org.
ngton University in St. Louis.
