Fort Belvoir, Va. (Nov. 6, 2014) - Combined Federal Campaign representatives raised awareness and collected donations during a charity event at the Fort Belvoir Exchange, Oct. 30.
Visitors learned about seven CFC organizations including: Shriners Hospitals for Children; Working Warrior Nation; Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program; Brain Injury Services, Inc.; Lorton Community Action Center; Defenders of Wildlife; Conservation International; and The Service Source National Capital Area Disability Resource Center.
The goal of the event was to get the word out about CFC and its mission, according to U.S. Army Garrison Fort Belvoir, 2014 CFC Campaign Manager, Gary Smith.
"The charities here today are local to the National Capital Region, except for the Shriners Hospitals, which is a national organization," said Smith.
Shriners Hospitals has 22 locations throughout the U.S. with two facilities in Canada and Mexico. Shriners specialize in orthopedic care, including spinal conditions and spinal injuries children may have.
Shriners treat patients up to age 18. The care is free to the child and Family.
"All of our services from surgery to therapy are free of charge to the Families," said Paulette Platis, Shriners Hospitals for Children, development officer. Those services include suites at the hospital where the Families can stay so they can be with their children.
Platis wants military Families to know Shriners' services are available to them, and, in some cases, beyond their usual standards for care.
"There was a young man in Iraq who was hit by an improvised explosive device and lost his leg," said Platis. "He was flown to the Philadelphia hospital. He was 17, but we gave him care until he was 21. So, exceptions can be made depending on circumstances."
She added that donations from CFC are critical to their ability to provide free care to patients.
Brain Injury Services, Inc., offers programs to help individuals with brain injuries find jobs and go back to school, among other services.
"We are open to (treating) any kind of acquired brain injury," said Lisa McCarthy, Brain Injury Services, Inc., director of programs. "So, an accident, traumatic-brain injury, stroke, brain tumors, whatever … we are open to serving any veterans or active-duty military who want our services."
McCarthy added any Service member who is hesitant to contact the organization, shouldn't be.
"We have staff members who are prior military or know about military benefits," said McCarthy. "We partner with the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program to serve any veterans."
Fort Belvoir Garrison's CFC goal this year is $56,000. Smith said he will need support from the entire installation to reach the goal.
A second charity event will take place at the Exchange Nov. 13, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
"Anyone can donate to any one of these charities and the minimum donation is only one dollar," said Smith. "Just think, if you know someone who has benefitted from these charities, how they wouldn't have that option if it wasn't for CFC."
For more information on CFC, contact Smith at Gary.s.smith.civ@mail.mil.
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