FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- The Fort Rucker Combined Federal Campaign celebrated raising $254.446, beating its $250K goal, during a closing ceremony at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum Nov. 19.
CFC organizers thanked all who supported the fundraising effort, recognized the leadership givers and signed the check to be sent to CFC.
Col. Patrick Denman, Lyster Army Health Clinic commander and CFC local federal coordinating committee chairman, thanked his team before introducing Col. Timothy Edens, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker deputy commanding general, who stood in place of Brig. Gen. Anthony G. Crutchfield, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence commander and Wiregrass CFC chairman.
Edens recognized Denman and the CFC team for leading a "very successful CFC campaign."
"We all know you have day jobs in addition to helping the community help themselves and the Army," Edens said.
He also thanked the leadership givers. Leadership givers are those who donated at least $500 annually through CFC, which recognizes three levels of leadership giving: Bronze ($500-699/year), Silver ($700-999/year) and Gold ($1000 and up/year).
"Leading from the front and from the heart has never been more important," Edens said. "Collectively those folks have given more than $102, 992 which represents over 41 percent of all pledges. Thank you to all of you who have given either time, money or both. Your efforts here in the Wiregrass have contributed greatly to the over 200 other Combined Federal Campaigns that are running across the country and around the world.
"The past few years, and perhaps this year more than any other, have been very difficult for Americans," he continued. "The national and global economic crisis has had a lasting impact on each and every one of us. However, you would not notice it when you look at the money raised this year. What's also amazing is the fact that 42 out of 84 of the participating organizations increased their giving from last year."
Some leadership givers cited a need to give back to the community as an answer to the blessings they have received.
"God blesses us in so many ways that I have to give something back in return," said Staff Sgt. Jose Martinez, A Company, 1st Battalion, 11th Aviation Regiment, Air Traffic Control facility chief. "We have too many blessings not to be able to give to people."
One leadership-giving couple donated to improve the world.
"It's nice to make the world you live in a better place," said Michelle Davis, military spouse. "Sometimes you can't always go out and do things to make the world a better place, so you give your money so that other people can do it for you."
"When I was in college, I had time to donate - so I would donate time to organizations like habitat for humanity or Moore Ministries," Sgt. James Davis, 98th Army Silver Wings Band said. "Now that I'm older I have this Army job I have to do. I feel like I should give something because of how blessed I've been."
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