CFC: Help give back to the community that gives so much to us

  • Published
  • By Combined Federal Campaign
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  It's that time of year again. The time when unit reps are coming to your work station, handing you booklets and pledge cards, and poking you to donate to the Combined Federal Campaign. In all the hustle and bustle of daily life, you might be asking yourself, just what exactly is the CFC? What's the big deal? Why do they keep asking me to donate?

The short answer is that the CFC is the world's largest charity drive that gives the donor hundreds of specially approved charities to choose from. It's also the only authorized charity campaign where Federal employees, both military and civilian, can be solicited at the workplace. Established by President Kennedy in 1961, the CFC has evolved from a hodgepodge of Federal campaigns into a unified fund-raising system that combines all of the previously unregulated workplace drives.

Conducted by the federal government under the authority of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the CFC operates in more than 230 localities throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and in most overseas military bases. CFC continues to be the largest and most successful workplace fund-raising model in the world, raising more than $272 million in 2008 for thousands of local, national, and international charitable agencies. In other words, it's only through your generosity that the CFC can function as the world's leading charitable drive.

Whether you're interested in international charities with human rights objectives or local food kitchens that feed the hungry, the CFC offers a wide array of worthwhile causes. What's more, each charity goes through a meticulous approval process to ensure proper accountability.

MacDill is part of the Suncoast CFC, a 10-county area along the west coast of Florida. The 2010 MacDill CFC kicked off Oct. 4and ends Nov. 19. The theme for this year's campaign is "Now More Than Ever."

This year, Capt. Jonathan Myers, 6th Air Mobility Wing CFC point of contact, hopes to spread the message of CFC through unit representatives to impact more people.
"It's a very busy season with inspections and drills every week but we still must continue to press and spread the word," said Captain Myers. "This year our concern is not to request people donate more but to contact more people and in turn bring in more donations. Increased participation is our goal. Unit reps are hard at work looking for potential donators across the base daily."

The goal for this year is $136, 000.

"With increased contact and communication, I believe we will meet our goal," said Captain Myers.

With all the options for contribution, Captain Myers stressed that knowing where the donation is going and the reason to donate is imperative. He emphasized that everyone will have access to both hard copy and web-based booklets that list all of the CFC charities and their missions.

"There are so many organizations locally, nationally, and even internationally to donate to," said Captain Myers. "With all of the choices we have, it's easy to make sure you give to the cause of your choosing."

"Know why you are giving and the importance of your donation; don't just give to give," he added. As unit representatives come by to collect CFC donations throughout the next week, research, and learn about charities. Through CFC you have the ability to help thousands of people, especially in the environment we're in today."