The Capitol Police Department kicked off its fundraising drive for the Combined Federal Campaign on Friday.

CFC of the National Capital Area collects funds from federal employees and donates them to a variety of charities. [IMGCAP(1)]

Capitol Police Lt. Wesley Mahr, who manages the law enforcement agency’s CFC campaign, said the department will try to exceed the $42,000 it raised in 2002.

Capitol Police Chief Terrance Gainer encouraged officers to donate to charities that mirror their beliefs or those with low overhead. He pledged to donate 1 percent of his salary, about $1,500, to the campaign.

“I’m swayed by how much a little bit can help a lot of people,” Gainer said.

— Jennifer Yachnin