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Raising awareness with food, song

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Rachelle Elsea
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOTHWEST ASIA --  In an effort to raise more funds toward the Combined Federal Campaign Overseas (CFC-O), the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing held an authentic Arabic food sampling and karaoke event Oct. 25 at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia.

The CFC-O is an annual fundraising event hosted by military bases around the world that runs from the beginning of October till the end of November.

Service members have the opportunity to pledge money to more than 2,400 charities. This year's goal for the 386th AEW is $75,000. Between its start a few weeks ago and the karaoke event, the base had already raised nearly $50, 000.

This particular event, sponsored by the Top Three, a professional organization comprised of master sergeants, senior master sergeants and chief master sergeants, also focused on Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

"Sponsoring events such as this is a win-win situation," said Master Sgt. Deb Nelson, 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron support staff superintendent. "We are able to get the word out about two significant events this month while at the same time allowing wing members to taste the local foods and enjoy some good-natured fun."

The first to perform was Col. Michael Zick, 386th AEW commander, Col. William Summers, 386th AEW vice commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Mitchell Balutski, 386th AEW command chief. The trio sang Jimmy Buffett's "Margaritaville."

Next to the stage was Capt. Je Raley, 386th ECES deputy commander and CFC Co-Community Area Project Officer (Co-CAPO) along with Master Sgt. Yvette Arce from the medical group, and a few coworkers, singing Helen Reddy's "I am Woman" and Gloria Gaynor's "I will Survive."

"Having never done karaoke in my life, I surprised myself by how much fun I had," said Raley. "Mostly, I want to thank my co-CAPO, Master Sgt. Arce and the Drop Zone for all of their support."

Overall, the event raised $61 and 3 Lira

With more than another month to go, the 386th AEW is on the path to not only meeting its goal but surpassing it.