CFC kicks off Oct. 6

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Heather Stanton
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  The Combined Federal Campaign kicked off during a luncheon Oct. 6, providing members of the Seymour Johnson community a convenient way to donate to more than 2,500 charities.

The CFC was established by President John F. Kennedy to consolidate federal employee fundraising efforts into one campaign. It is the world's largest and most successful single fundraising campaign, with organizations that benefit veterans to those that provide scholarships for high school students.

The goal for this year is to raise $180,000 before Dec. 5 when the campaign ends.

Donations can go back into the Seymour Johnson community if designated to do so, said Capt. Heron Weidner, campaign coordinator.

"Seymour Johnson's community center, Youth Center and Airman and Family Readiness Center all have discreet five-digit CFC codes," she said. Nearly $8,500 was contributed last year to base quality of life organizations.

Unit CFC representatives will begin contacting personnel in their units Oct. 7.

"It is my job to get the word out that CFC has begun," said Staff Sgt. Jennifer Holmes, 4th Fighter Wing Staff Agencies' CFC representative. "I distribute the information and make sure everyone who wants to contribute can."

Any civilian or military federal employee can donate, Captain Weidner said. Donations can be made in the form of a one-time check or monthly payroll deductions. Those who select to have payroll deductions will see these deductions start in January.

"It is truly the easiest way to make a difference," Captain Weidner said. "Some people will donate blood, some will 'Race for the Cure,' others will join a 'Team in Training' and others will spend their Saturdays helping to build a home for a complete stranger. All are an invaluable means of contributing. But the fact of the matter is, not everyone has that zeal, not to mention the time. But they can still fulfill the innate desire to help and this is the easiest way to do so."

For more information about the CFC, contact a unit representative or visit http://www.opm.gov/cfc/. Unit representatives are: Tech. Sgt. Sharon Loring and Staff Sgt. Rachel Millner, 916th Air Refueling Wing; Airman 1st Class Tyler Leach, 4th Operations Group; Master Sgts. Robert Heis and Anthony Guest, 4th Maintenance Group; Master Sgts. George Anderson and Robert Whitaker, 4th Mission Support Group; 1st Lt. Michael West, 4th Medical Group; and Sergeant Holmes and Senior Airmen Elizabeth Beidelschies, 4 FW Staff Agencies.

(Editor's note: Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore, 4th FW Public Affairs, contributed to this article.)