Three years ago, FEEA (the Federal Employee Education & Assistance Fund) pivoted from hosting an annual in-person 5K to the all-virtual Feds In Motion Challenge. It made sense in the heart of the pandemic, but why are they gearing up for the 4th annual Challenge instead of going back to a live event?
Executive Director Robyn Kehoe explains it this way, “Because feds are everywhere, not just in the DC-area, and the Feds In Motion Challenge allows everyone to compete and have fun equally, no matter where in the country or world they live and work.”
The event has grown considerably – more than 1,500 feds and family members participated last year – and several federal agencies now see it as a great team-building event. AmeriCorps’ team had 90 members in 2023 and is well on the way to topping that for this year’s event, and a number of District Courts/U.S. Attorney’s teams look to be having a little inter-office competition. Because the event is virtual, everyone can go at their own pace in their own place, with five weeks to reach their goal. And teams can meet up in person or join forces from opposite sides of the world. Wellness Wednesdays during the event include recorded sessions from experts – past topics have included beginner yoga, home office ergonomics, and nutrition for exercise.
The Feds In Motion Challenge also kicks off Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW) on May 6, a week set aside annually to recognize the contributions and accomplishments of federal, state, and local government employees.
And it isn’t just a fun wellness event. FEEA is a national charity and the FIM Challenge raises funds to support programs that help improve the financial resilience of civilian federal and postal employees and support them in achieving personal and professional goals. FEEA has been doing this work for 38 years, providing millions of dollars and thousands of volunteer hours in service to feds and their families.
If you want to join the Challenge (GovLoop is a media sponsor), sign up at Feds In Motion Challenge 2024: http://bit.ly/41IA8gn. Want to know more about FEEA’s work? Visit https://feea.org/our-programs/