CFC sets $1M goal, expands to include 12 counties

FORT BENNING GA - The Combined Federal Campaign will kick off at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 2 in the Benning Conference Center. The annual fundraising campaign for federal employees lasts through Oct. 16.

Last year, Soldiers and civilians raised more than $950,000, said Laura Walker, CFC manager, but this year, they're raising the bar.

"We have a goal of $1 million," Walker said. "It's a rallying cry, and we are going to shoot for it."

There will be more people to help meet the goal this year, since the local CFC is expanding from its original three counties of Muscogee, Chattahoochee and Russell to 12 counties.

The nine new counties, which will add mostly post office and national historic site workers, represent an area not served before by the CFC, Walker said.

The counties include Harris, Talbot, Taylor, Marion, Schley, Sumter, Webster, Stewart and Quitman. To reflect the additional counties, the local campaign has changed its name to the Columbus/Fort Benning Regional CFC.

Even with the addition, most of the money raised goes to a variety of organizations. Many of them are on post, including Fort Benning Schools, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, the Red Cross and Santa's Castle.

The CFC screens the charities that want to be a part of the campaign to make sure they are responsible with their funds and providing a good service, Walker said. The list currently includes more than 4,000 charities.

"Almost everybody can find something they feel passionate about: animals, children, the environment, medical research, wounded warriors," she said. "You can give to local charities. You can even choose to give internationally."

People can choose to have their donations automatically deducted from their paycheck.

Walker said it may be a small amount every two weeks, but it adds up.

It's especially important that people give during these difficult economic times, said Scott Ferguson, president of the local United Way.

"The needs are great," he said. "Some people are not working, but we find the people who are working are giving to those who need help.

"We all need to give to our communities and the CFC is an easy way to do it," said Ferguson.

For information about the CFC, contact your key person or visit www.columbusbenningcfc.org.