'Gimme 5' contributor gets shot at Final Four

Trip, TV top prizes in Anaheim convention raffle

Two raffles were held at this summer’s national convention in Anaheim as a way of saying thanks to the men and women of the NALC who give every pay period to the non-partisan Committee on Letter Carrier Political Education.

The top prize was a trip for two to the 2011 NCAA Final Four, a getaway that includes a pair of tickets to the Final Four and national championship, airfare, a three-night hotel stay and a per diem for expenses.

To be eligible to win the trip, active and retired letter carriers had to be “Gimme 5 for COLCPE” contributors. For active carriers, that means automatically contributing $5 per pay period by electronic funds transfer (EFT) or by using one of their three payroll allotments. For retirees, “Gimme 5” is $5 per month directly from their annuity payments or by EFT. For both active and retiree members, NALC Headquarters needed to receive “Gimme 5" automatic contributions by June 30. Last-chance sign-ups were accepted at the Legislative Department’s booth at the Convention Center.

The winner of the trip was Stephen Lipski of South Jersey Branch 908.

Additionally, “lump sum” donors who do not give automatically were eligible to win a 42-inch flat-panel high-definition television. These donors are active carriers who have contributed at least $120 between January 1 and June 30, or retirees who have given $60 in that same time period. A donation that helps a member reach those benchmarks was also be accepted at the Legislative Department’s convention booth, allowing the member to qualify for the raffle.

The winner of the television was Raymond Eisenberger of Norristown, Pennsylvania Branch 542.

“The real benefit we all get from COLCPE is job security, thanks to electing and keeping our friends in Congress” said NALC President Fred Rolando. “But this is a fun way for us to recognize and show that we appreciate each member’s contribution.”

The Committee on Letter Carrier Political Education, or COLCPE, is NALC’s political action committee. Funds are used to support candidates—Republicans, Democrats and independents—who support letter carriers’ issues, and to help finance get-out-the-vote and other political activities. Absolutely no union dues money is used to support political candidates.

Contributions to COLCPE are entirely voluntary. Tens of thousands of active and retired NALC members choose to give each year, many through regular deductions from their paychecks or monthly annuity payments, or by electronic funds transfer from their checking accounts.

“Gimme 5 for COLCPE” was launched in March 2006 with the aim of increasing the number of automatic contributors. The target of $5 per pay period represents just 50 cents per work day. The goal for retiree contributions is $5 each month. (Of course, any amount is welcome.)

A steady stream of contributions is important for planning by the union's Legislative and Political Affairs Department, as well as for budgeting resources.