FORT RUCKER, Ala. (September 15, 2011) -- For 50 years, the Combined Federal Campaign has provided federal employees with the chance to donate to charities of their choice, and that mission continues during the annual campaign Wednesday through Nov. 4.
The CFC will kick off the 2011 campaign on Wednesday at 9 a.m. at the Landing, with an agency fair and guest speaker Russell Dunman, United Way Chief Executive Officer. The kick-off event is different from previous years, with CFC-supported charitable organizations coming to speak with attendants.
"We've invited charity agencies from around the area to set up booths, so that when people come to the kickoff, they get to talk to people who receive funds through the CFC," said Beverly Arnold, CFC Wiregrass area campaign associate.
Having the organizations present allows for some fun, with each guest receiving an agency bingo card that will be turned in for prizes from local business and the charities present, said Arnold. The event also gives donors and campaign officers a chance to network and develop charitable events for the community.
"The kickoff is a huge opportunity to come out and visit the charity agencies, to hear directly from them how the funds for the CFC are used," Arnold said.
This year's campaign goal is $1,125,000, a goal Arnold believes will be easy to attain in light of the recent merger between the Wiregrass area CFC and Heart of Alabama CFC that expanded the local effort from five to counties to 49 counties across the state.
Heart of Alabama director Lew Lewis explained the merger is an important change for the CFC.
"Federal employees probably won't notice much difference in the campaign, except we'll be able to make each contributed dollar go even further, while offering expanded resources such as online pledging," said Lewis.
The addition of online donation to the already accepted donation methods of payroll deduction and cash donation are just another way to make donations more convenient, said Arnold.
After the campaign kicks off, federal employees will be approached by key workers for the CFC, who will help present opportunities and relay funds to the organizations vetted by the campaign. Additionally, these key workers host fundraising events during the campaign, allowing donors to become directly involved in the giving process, said Arnold.
After the campaign ends in November, CFC will hold its victory awards and celebration Dec. 13 at 1 p.m. at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum. This event will honor the units, organizations and project officers that made monetary goals leadership givers who contributed significant donations.
"Combined Federal Campaign is the world's largest workplace charitable giving organization. I'm glad to be able to give people the opportunity to choose the charity that they want to give to," said Arnold.
For more information on the CFC, call 255-9261.
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