FORT CAMPBELL, Ky., Sept. 1, 2011--Fort Campbell kicked off the Combined Federal Campaign with a luncheon at Cole Park Commons Aug. 25. This year marks the 50th year the fundraising drive has taken place as a way to give service members and civilians the opportunity to donate to a number of non-profit organizations they may be interested in. This year, Fort Campbell hopes to raise $750,000.
Major Gen. James C. McConville, 101st Airborne Division and Fort Campbell commander, serves as the Fort Campbell Area CFC chair. He took the time to speak with those attending the luncheon and reflected on how presenting a Silver Star to the widow of a young specialist made him think of the giving nature of our community.
"I started thinking about our Soldiers," McConville said. "I started thinking about our Families and I started to think what makes us different. I came to the conclusion it is really the choices we make that define our lives. In this case, this brave young man made the choice to join the military. He decided to become a medic. He decided in the heat of combat to put others before himself. That's why he's a hero. So I look at this opportunity with the CFC and I see it as an opportunity to put others before ourselves … As I walked around and saw all these organizations that are here, and there's many more like them, it's about taking care of our fellow man and it's an opportunity to give."
Close to 40 different non-profit organizations attended the luncheon. It gave key workers from the various units and organizations across the installation a chance to find out more about the different non-profits so they can take that information back to share it with their coworkers.
"Some of it's moving and inspiring to listen to these people that really truly, deeply [and] sincerely want to better their community," said Sgt. Eric Lamotte, a key worker for D Company, 6th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade. "[I came] to see what kind of impact they have on the community, to let the Soldier know where the money they are donating is actually going."
Key workers also listened to part of the life stories of two individuals who work for the Titans. One of the speakers was Tresa Halbrooks, Titans manager of community relations. She spoke about her journey from an abusive marriage to working with a group of people she once swore she would never have anything to do with.
She had been married to a college football player who became abusive after he was injured and watched his dreams of playing in the NFL disappear. One of the teams he dreamed to play for was the Oilers, who eventually became the Titans. When she left, she told her mother she would never have anything to do with athletes again. Her journey though took her to work with some of the very athletes her ex had one day hoped to play on a team with and helping them find their ways to give back and to tell their stories.
"My charity of choice is the YWCA Domestic Violence Shelter in Nashville," said Halbrooks. "I'm so proud that many of my efforts go to benefit them, but that's because that's my story…We all have a journey. We all have a story. How are you going to use yours?"
The campaign runs through Dec. 15. Individuals can go through their key workers to donate or use the pledge online feature of the Fort Campbell Area CFC website, www.ftcampbellareacfc.org. The website has information about the campaign, for donors, campaign materials, for charities, about the charities, local contact information and a calendar of events.
During the campaign, a thermometer near the intersection of Screaming Eagle Boulevard and Bastogne Avenue will show how close the installation is getting to their goal.
"It's an opportunity to give," said McConville. "It's an opportunity to put others before yourselves and there's tremendous satisfaction in that. Our Soldiers do it every single day; our Families do it every single day and I'm convinced that when given the opportunity to do this, they will do it also."
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