FREEHOLD - This year, Monmouth County employees donated nearly $39,000 to support the work of more than 1,300 charitable organizations throughout the United States.

The Public Employees Charitable Campaign, begun last September with bi-weekly payroll deductions administered by the United Way of Monmouth County, raised $38,798, said Luis A. Navarro, who has served as the county's charitable campaign chairman for the last 13 years.

"I am extremely pleased with the generosity our county employees have shown through these voluntary payroll deductions," Navarro said. "The devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina really drove home the message that there are needy people all over the world."

As "Partners in Giving," government employees throughout New Jersey raised a total of $2.1 million last year, and expectations are that even more was raised this year, according to a press release.

To encourage participation in the Monmouth County campaign, any employee donating more than $3 per paycheck was included in a random drawing for an extra day off. This year's winners were Christopher Davino, Monmouth County Park System; Glenn Martin, Monmouth County Division of Social Services; and Michele Bordeaux, Monmouth County Library.

Freeholder Theodore J. Narozanick, who drew the winning names, said, "I am extremely proud of our participation and I want to personally thank each and every county employee who was involved in this most worthy charitable campaign."