The annual Combined Municipal Campaign is one of the most important programs I support. The CMC unites us as a family, working together for a common cause. While volunteering requires a lot of work, your donation delivers more joy, a sense of achievement, and a significant impact.

I know that each of us has responsibilities at home, and many give generously to support family, friends, or faith-based institutions. CMC is unique because it allows us to help environmental, health, and social welfare issues that concern the citizens of Houston.

I challenge you to think of the absolute best our city has to offer — not just cuisine and the Astros, but all of the outstanding qualities that we can say with certainty make this a great place: the passion and profound generosity that lead our neighbors to feed the hungry, uplift the unfortunate, to teach and nurture our children, embrace diversity, defend individuals’ rights, salute and support our veterans. The common thread is caring for others.

The list is long. To get an idea of the core of the caring Houston, look to the CMC. The nonprofits you support every year involve themselves in every facet of our society where there is a need.

This is what your CMC enables: changing lives and building futures.

And there is no small donation. Every contribution counts; every dollar pays for something positive. If we all give something, the agencies we support will touch more people. It can be a couple of dollars a paycheck — less than a large coffee these days. The city would raise about $1 million if everyone gave just a little. Those who generously pledge one percent or more of your salary will be eligible for recognition as an Above & Beyond Club member.

We’ve done this before: Over the past five years, despite Covid and other hardships, you donated more than $4 million. As you consider why we support the CMC every year, I know you’ll realize that the essence of why Houston is great — passion, generosity, selfless support of others — is the mission of our Combined Municipal Campaign.

So let’s unite behind this purpose to change lives and build futures.

Sylvester Turner Mayor