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380AEW Article

CFC volunteers prep for kickoff

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Eric Peterson
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Combined Federal Campaign representatives for the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia held their first organizational meeting in the base theater Aug. 26, 2014.

The CFC program, first authorized in 1961 by President Kennedy, continues to serve as the only organization approved by the government to appeal for charitable donations from United States military personnel and federal civil service employees.

There are three different ways individuals can contribute to the campaign. Airmen can elect to contribute through MyPay online, fill out the traditional donation carbon-copy form, or they can logon to the CFC website and follow the instructions provided.

This year, there are more than 2600 different charities that individuals can select from to direct their personal contributions.

The community area project officer for the 380th AEW CFC said the first meeting provided the opportunity for local coordinators to pick up 2015 CFC campaign materials and hear the program objectives.

"This was the very first event where we can get individuals involved, whether they are the key coordinators at the lowest level, or unit coordinators which would be the squadron representatives," said Air Force Capt. David Shipman of the 968th Expeditionary Airborne Air Control Squadron. "They get to see our face, we get to see their face, and we can get everyone involved so we can kick this thing off starting in September strongly."

The program reminds Airmen that, even though they may be far away from the United States during their deployment, there still are many needs to be met back home.

"Especially for people who've deployed for the first time or who haven't done this a lot, there are still things going on back home; there are still families in need; there are still disasters that are happening; food banks still need support," said Capt. Shipman. "You forget that you still need to keep contributing, volunteering and helping out even though you are away from home."

This is the first year that the CFC is beginning universal giving which allows individuals to donate to any CFC-approved charity--not just those organizations in the CENTCOM area. If a service member wants to donate to a food bank in their hometown, they can now do it through the local CFC program.

Shipman appreciates the support that 380th AEW Airmen have provided to the CFC in the past and is confident they will continue to use the program to help others in need.

"Deployed members are very, very conscious about volunteering and charitable giving," said Shipman. "It can't be said enough for deployed members and how much they have on their plates and how much they continue to give."

The official CFC campaign kickoff is scheduled to begin on September 8 and will last through November. During the kickoff period, CFC key workers and unit coordinators will distribute information to wing Airmen and will be available to answer questions about the campaign.