Fort Stewart kicks off CFC, helps those in need

By Renee Reese, Fort Stewart Public AffairsSeptember 22, 2011

Fort Stewart kicks off CFC, helps those in need
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Fort Stewart Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. James Ervin cuts the ceremonial cake with 2011 CFC campaign chair Gerry Phelan; Col. Roger Cloutier, deputy commanding general for maneuver and Fort Stewart Garrison Commander Col. Kevin Milton, Sept. 20 at Clu... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Fort Stewart kicks off CFC, helps those in need
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT STEWART, Ga. - Fort Stewart kicked off the Combined Federal Campaign, Sept. 20 at Club Stewart to help those with the greatest need locally and around the world. Volunteers and potential donors listened intently to Third Infantry Division leadership on the significance of supporting CFC which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

"The Marne Division, Stewart-Hunter, has repeatedly exceeded contribution goals and I'm confident that this year will be no different," said Third Infantry Division's Commanding General Maj. Robert "Abe" Abrams via a previously recorded video. "We should all be proud to be part of our nation's most giving workplace campaign which has demonstrated our compassion and selflessness for the past 50 years."

The standing room only crowd listened to a brief welcome led by the 2011 campaign chair Gerry Phelan and Fort Stewart's Garrison Commander, Col. Kevin Milton, prior to watching the 2011 CFC video.

"At its heart, CFC is about giving," said Phelan. "We are here to talk about how we can help those in need that we may never know. Giving is inherent in federal employees; it's a part of our makeup and DNA to give."

For decades, the Combined Federal Campaign has allowed federal employees trouble-free giving opportunities such as payroll deductions and one time contributions to help charities of their choice. Through this highly effective approach, CFC has helped to raise 6.2 billion dollars for charitable groups over the past five decades. In 2010, Stewart-Hunter gave $318,000 dollars to local, national and international charities and this year's goal is $475,000 dollars.

"The CFC campaign actually provides a means for Soldiers to look at vast amounts of organizations that actually benefit from one big campaign," commented Beverly Carradine-Gilmore who works in concert with the CFC installation POC Melvin Dougherty. "Every act of kindness that you can sow has a major impact and will reverberate throughout the community."

Selected key workers from brigades and garrison organizations were asked to make 100 percent contact with co-workers in order for Stewart-Hunter to meet its goal.

"I'm continually amazed with the generosity of our federal employees, said speaker Col. Roger Cloutier, deputy commanding general for maneuver. "Last year's campaign impacted thousands of organizations across the world and it happens because of people like you who care. Making a CFC contribution allows us to contemplate what really matters. It's a way of defining our own values."

As the CFC advisor for his company, Staff Sgt. Benjamin Mishoe of 4IBCT said, "I've given to CFC every year since I've been in the Army. I always want to give back to help other people."

Federal employees can rest assured that charitable organizations go through a rigorous evaluation process before becoming a part of the campaign. Key workers were previously given an approved list of charities that outlines their administrative costs and accountabilities, thereby giving full disclosure.

A total of 30 charitable organizations were present for the event. Some local charities present at the kick off included Map International which provides clean drinking water for third world countries; Big Brothers and Big Sisters which mentors youth and Jay's HOPE Foundation that support families impacted by childhood cancer.

"Lots of Soldiers have similar backgrounds to kids that are in our program and they can relate to the kids better than most," said John Kendricks of Big Brothers and Big Sisters. "Lots of our children look up to the military and they have so much to offer our kids. They are heroes in so many different ways and they don't even realize it."

Founder of Jay's HOPE Foundation, Cindy Gaskin, whose son Jay battled with childhood cancer said, "Funding is very important to continue to help these kids. It takes a community to step up and help us reach out to Families."

"Although it's not always easy to give to those that we don't know, our generosity in helping others helps us overcome adversity in our own lives, explained Col. Cloutier. "It's an opportunity for each one of us to step outside the comfort zone of home and make a difference."