CFC goal passed Published Dec. 19, 2009 By Senior Airman David Dobrydney 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs SOUTHWEST ASIA -- The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing's 2009 Combined Federal Campaign-Overseas fundraiser has ended as of Dec. 13. The total currently stands at $161,844, surpassing the wing's goal of $143,000. As the campaign is officially closed, unit representatives will no longer solicit donations. However, members can make allotment contributions up to Dec. 25, and online contributions will be accepted until the end of December. Organizations across the base donated to the cause of their choice. Most simply wrote out a check or withdrew some cash for their contribution. The 37th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit, however, had two creative ideas. Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Wilkins decided to collect pogs, which are round pieces of cardboard used by the Army and Air Force Exchange Service in lieu of coins in the Middle East. Sergeant Wilkins walked through every laundry facility in the BPC after work one day to find empty soap boxes to post at the shoppette, exchanges, and Desert Eagle Lounge the day the campaign started. By the time the boxes were collected for the final time, base personnel had donated $2,157 in pogs. While Sergeant Wilkins and his co-workers were collecting pogs, Master Sgts. Jerry Washburn and Warren Wilson invited donations from members who arranged for American flags to be flown in B-1B Lancer aircraft over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Through the flag flying program, an additional $2,266 was raised. No matter where or how the money was raised, Capt. Sang Lee, 379 AEW Combined Federal Campaign project officer, wanted to thank all who donated and those who stepped up to be unit representatives. "We raised considerable funds for some amazing organizations out there making a difference in people's lives," Captain Lee said. "We couldn't have surpassed this year's goal without everyone's support."