CFC: know what it is, the reason for giving

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Katherine B. Holt
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE --  For more than 40 years, the Combined Federal Campaign has been raising funds to give back to local and national charities. But what is the CFC? Servicemembers with years of experience are familiar with CFC, but some new enlistees may not know what it is or why they are donating. 

According to the Suncoast CFC 2008 Campaign booklet, the mission of the CFC is to support and promote philanthropy through a voluntary program that is employee-focused, cost-efficient and effective in providing all Federal employees the opportunity to improve the quality of life for all. 

The CFC is the only authorized, annual fund-raising drive conducted by federal employees. 

It began in the early 1960's to coordinate fundraising efforts of various charitable organizations so that the Federal donor would only be solicited once in the workplace and have the opportunity to make charitable contributions through payroll deduction.
The campaign booklet added, that federal employees continue to make the CFC the largest and most successful workplace philanthropic fundraiser in the world. The goal for all CFC campaigns is to contact and ask 100 percent of federal employees to contribute to a CFC charity. 

Team MacDill is part of the CFC Suncoast chapter. 

The 2008 MacDill CFC kicked off Monday and runs until Oct. 26. The theme for this year's campaign is "Make a world of difference." 

This year, Capt. Michael Laubach, CFC point of contact for the wing, hopes to spread the message of CFC through unit representatives to impact more people. 

"Communication is the key," said Captain Laubach. "By keeping an open communication channel between unit reps and their potential donators can increase the interest." 

This year, team MacDill is working as one unit; whereas in the past, tenant units' numbers were not counted with the wing's numbers. 

"MacDill has the best start of a solid 'big three' team since 2002," said retired Air Force Col. Tony McKenna, director of CFC Suncoast. 

With all the pressures to contribute, Captain Laubach stressed that knowing where the donation is going and the reason to donate is imperative. 

"Servicemembers should know why they are donating," explained Captain Laubach. "Think about the local community when making contributions.
Know why you are giving and the importance of your donation. Don't just give to give." 

As unit representatives come by to collect CFC donations throughout the next six weeks, research, and learn about charities, local and national. 

"Through CFC you have the ability to help thousands of people," ended Captain Laubach.