Campaign makes every dollar count

By KRIS GONZALEZ, Fort Jackson LeaderSeptember 2, 2010

Campaign makes every dollar count
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Workers with the Directorate of Public Works put up a Combined Federal Campaign sign along Strom Thurmond Boulevard Friday. The sign depicts the percentage of Fort Jackson's personnel contacted about contributing to the campaign, which runs through D... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Campaign makes every dollar count
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gen. James Milano, Fort Jackson's commanding general, fills out his pledge card for the Combined Federal Campaign in his office Wednesday. The campaign, which allows military members and federal employees to donate to a number of charities, runs... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- How much difference can a dollar make'

A dollar can feed four hungry people for an entire day, or buy five books for a literacy program, according to the Combined Federal Campaign.

Two dollars can buy one acre of unprotected tropical rainforest, while $25 can protect 4 square miles of the ocean for one year, and $50 can vaccinate 1,300 people against deadly diseases like measles, meningitis and polio.

"Through the CFC, a dollar can go a long way," said Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Lowery.

And he should know. Lowery has not only been contributing to the CFC every year throughout his 16-year Army career, but he's also been the recipient of contributions throughout different stages of his life.

Whether it was assistance he received from the American Red Cross during a family emergency, or aid for his sister who is battling diabetes and suffers from kidney failure, Lowery knows what it is like to be in dire straits and to experience that feeling of relief when lifted by a helping hand.

That is why he said he plans to give again this year, but more importantly, as one of Fort Jackson's CFC coordinators, he vowed to help the installation exceed its goals for this year's campaign.

Lowery joined post leaders, local community representatives, Soldiers and DOD civilians Monday at the Officers' Club to kick off the post's annual fundraising drive, which is part of the Midlands Area CFC effort.

During the campaign, which officially began yesterday and runs until Dec. 15, federal employees - both military and civilian - can make contributions to non-profit organizations throughout the Midlands, as well as charities from across the nation and around the globe.

Contributions to the CFC can even help fund three of Fort Jackson's Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs - Army Community Services, Child and Youth Services and the Installation Volunteer Program.

Each donor selects the charity of his or her choice and elects to either make a one-time donation or have a set amount deducted from each pay period.

Last year the Midlands area CFC raised about $1.3 million for the campaign. This year's goal is to raise more than $1.5 million.

"It's not about the dollars we raise, it's about improving conditions for folks in this community, throughout this country and throughout the world," said Mike Gray, vice president of resource development for United Way of the Midlands, the executive agency which oversees the Midlands Area campaign.

Maj. Gen. James Milano, commanding general, said although contributing to the campaign is strictly voluntary, he encourages Soldiers and civilians alike to contribute to what he considers a vital and worthwhile program.

"We can't force anybody, nor do we want to," Milano said. "This ought to be something from the heart.

"We're very fortunate people," Milano said. "We have an incredible gross domestic product in this country; we have an incredible debt too. But comparatively speaking, especially compared to ... elsewhere around the world, we're pretty well off. I think each of us can find a way to contribute in a meaningful manner to help another individual through one of these non-profit organizations.

"It's a chance to make a difference in someone's life," he said.

To make a contribution, contact Lowery at 751-4528 or 2nd Lt. Stephen Monsen, Fort Jackson's CFC project coordinator, at 751-2669.