U.S. Army Garrison Fort Belvoir will kick off the community's annual Combined Federal Campaign season, in conjunction with Garrison Field Day, Oct. 10 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fremont Field.
The CFC allows military and government civilians to contribute to a variety of charities that support military Families as well as others in need throughout the world, including medical organizations, animal rights groups and food banks, among many others. The CFC season runs from Sept. 1 to Dec. 15.
This year's CFC slogan is "I make it possible."
"This year's slogan is intended to get donors and potential donors to see how their donation, no matter how small, makes it possible for someone else to have a better quality of life, even in the face of furloughs, pay freezes and economic uncertainty," said Cheryl Starr Garrett, Fort Belvoir's CFC manager for 2013.
Fort Belvoir's CFC fundraising goal this year is $63,000.
The goal is slightly less than last year's goal of $67,730 due to the budget issues that impacted government employees this past year and the budget uncertainty facing the military community in the upcoming fiscal year Garrett said.
Despite these budget challenges, last year the community exceeded its goal by 71 percent, raising $83,869.
Garrett hopes community members will pull together and do it again this year.
"It is our belief that those who regularly and generously give to the CFC will continue to give because they believe in the program and how it helps so many people," she said.
The program also allows community members to practice selfless service, according to Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Chester D. Grelock.
"The biggest effect that it has on our people is the fact that you're able to give," Grelock said. "In these busy times, not a lot of people go and donate their time, but they (can) donate money."
CFC representatives throughout the community will approach servicemembers and government employees about the chance to give in the coming months, Garrett said.
"If 100 percent of the workforce is asked to donate, then 100 percent will have the opportunity to consider donating. We hope this will result in an increase of at least two percent participation, despite these challenging economic times, she said.
Donors can choose from more than 4,400 charities, which are listed on the CFC National Capital Area website, in the online "Catalog of Caring" at www.cfcnca.org.
Some of these charities are connected to Fort Belvoir, including Army Community Service and the USO Warrior and Family Center.
"There is a charity for everyone -- whatever your interest may be," Garrett said.
The Fort Belvoir CFC is part of the Headquarters Department of the Army CFC in the National Capital Area.
This means that whatever amount the Fort Belvoir community contributes will go toward the HQDA goal of raising $2 million this year, Garrett said.
Donated funds will also help more than 4,400 local, national and international charities, Garrett said: "charities which, in turn, have helped many of our military and civilian employees."
For the first time, donors can also give to CFC through online pledges in the "MyPay" system.
For more information, visit www.cfcnca.org.
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