FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- The Fort Jackson Combined Federal Campaign got under way Monday with an opening event at the Officers' Club that brought together CFC partner organizations, CFC coordinators and installation leadership. The CFC, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, runs through December and allows military personnel, federal and postal employees to donate to local, national and international charities of their choice.
Maj. Gen. James Milano, Fort Jackson's commanding general and a co-chair of the 2011 CFC, encouraged community members to give generously in keeping with the installation's tradition of selfless service.
"This whole notion of caring and being committed than something bigger than ourselves is something that we take for granted here at Fort Jackson, because we've been doing that for a long time," Milano said. "I really think we ought to put that legacy front and center by blowing the top off our Combined Federal Campaign donations this year."
Throughout the past few years, Fort Jackson contributions have dropped from $1.1 million in 2007 to $600,000 last year -- a trend Milano seeks to reverse.
"We've gone steadily down ... I'm not happy about that," he said. "In fact, I've established a goal for this year of $750,000. We're going to beat that."
Milano encouraged everyone to give, even as little as $1 per month. He said he started giving as a second lieutenant and has increased his monthly donation with every promotion.
"I still look at it, frankly, ... as a little 'tax' that I owe based on the good fortune I have for living in the United States of America and be part of the United States Army," he said. "I just ask you to look locally, nationally, internationally and really ask yourself, 'Is there some cause ... that I can (support with) maybe a buck or two a month?'"
Some of the organizations participating in the campaign were present and provided information to community members. Dennis Coker, executive director of the Free Medical Clinic in Columbia, said the organizations in the campaign represent a broad range of community causes.
"The CFC partner agencies and the local United Way of the Midlands folks work to cover the spectrum of health and human services," Coker said. "While we take care of that piece that does health care, the other partner agencies take care of the rest of the spectrum. So that when people drop into deep, dark holes, they can get a little bit of help and a whole lot of hope. The challenge is, in these troubling times the resources available to these organizations are less and less and less."
Coker pleaded with everyone in attendance to get involved by either giving, advocating or volunteering.
"It doesn't matter what you give, it matters that you give," he said. "Because when everybody comes together, it's a powerful force. And if you're blessed, my advice is, 'Give back.' Because you never know when you may be the person ... needing that help.... Everybody here is a crisis away from needing a CFC partner agency. It can happen that fast."
First Lt. Lydia Berry, CFC installation project officer, said she has experienced the help provided by organizations represented.
"It's important to me because my father was diagnosed with diabetes. I've seen a lot of these organizations out in the community," Berry said.
Berry echoed the sentiments expressed by Milano and Coker that people should contribute, even if only a small amount.
"There are so many various agencies that you can give to. Take the time to look through the brochure and give," she said. "Your $1 really does count, and it goes a long way."
She said the campaign goal is to reach 100 percent of the community. Milano used a sports analogy to describe the effort he expects the community to put into the CFC.
"Today is tip-off and we're at full-court press in this thing until the end of December," he said. "In the greatest fashion of Jimmy Valvano or John Wooden or whatever basketball coach you want to come up with; full-court press for the entire game. ... We live in a great country. We're part of a great Army. Let's show our appreciation and our gratitude for how good we have it."
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