FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas --- The Fort Sam Houston community kicked off its 2008 Combined Federal Campaign with a luncheon Sept. 4 at Tomatillos CafAfA y Cantina.
About 40 project officers and senior leaders met with high expectations to celebrate the beginning of the annual fundraising drive for federal employees. The CFC runs Sept. 1 through Dec. 15.
"I'm always a believer that we need to provide for others who are less fortunate. CFC is a great way to reach out to so many programs," said luncheon attendee Sgt. Maj. Michael Brown, sergeant major to the dean of the Academy of Health Sciences, Army Medical Department Center and School.
The entire community benefits when people contribute to the CFC, he said.
Project officers will designate a six-week period between now and mid-December to run the CFC for their units, said Maj. Sandie Escolas, assistant dean for research and academic affairs at AHS.
Escolas is also a CFC loaned executive officer, whose role is to provide guidance to area CFC project officers.
Key workers will soon be visible with CFC agency brochure listings and donation forms.
"Our goal is 100 percent meaningful contact," Escolas said. "We want face-to-face contact - where we give every service member and federal employee an opportunity to choose a charity."
Although CFC workers cannot solicit contractors, they are welcome to contribute, she said.
CFC is like a department store of about 2,500 charities, said Farrah McKinzie, manager for recreational programs at Morale, Welfare and Recreation and a CFC loaned executive officer. The charities have been screened so contributors know their donation is distributed to a charitable organization.
One's contribution can help a local, national or international agency, depending on what the donor chooses, she said.
A couple post agencies that benefit from CFC are the Fisher Houses, which serve as homes away from home for Families of patients receiving medical care at major military and Veterans Affairs medical centers, and the American Red Cross.
"CFC is a great way to touch the local community if that's what you wish," McKinzie said.
Last year, workers from the San Antonio area contributed $5.2 million toward CFC causes, McKinzie said. Donors can contribute with cash, checks or paycheck allotments.
Sandy Wilder, a regional director for Global Impact, which is a federation of the international charities of the CFC, was the guest speaker.
"CFC is totally donor driven. Anybody can choose how much they want to give, who they want to give to," Wilder said. "For me, it's helping people discover the joy of giving for something that they are passionate about."
Wilder said the CFC agency brochure listing is also a useful resource if people are looking to volunteer with an organization.
Brown said the CFC is a great program and he believes in it 1,000 percent.
"I give every year and I encourage my Soldiers to give because it does enhance our community," he said.
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