CFC kicks off Sept. 1, campaign now underway

Fort Huachuca, Arizona - The Fort Huachuca Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) kicked off with a breakfast at Thunder Mountain Activity Centre Sept. 1 and runs through Dec. 15.

Fort Huachuca's goal for this year is to raise $200,000. This year's theme is "You can change a life."

Col. Thomas A. Boone, Fort Huachuca garrison commander, welcomed the audience to the event. Jeffrey E. Jennings, deputy to the commanding general and keynote speaker, praised the audience for the great turnout and thanked the command teams for all major commands on post for coming. He also described the American people's 'giving' nature and encouraged everyone to contribute generously to this year's CFC.

"The purpose we're here for is to kick off the Combined Federal Campaign," Jennings said. "CFC at its core is about giving. Last night I was [researching] why people give. So when did philanthropy begin? Believe it or not, there are written accounts of philanthropy as far back as 500 B.C. The Greek word means 'love of mankind or love of man.'

"It's really gratifying to see everyone in here today. You obviously have an attitude of giving and love for each other. In 2014, Americans gave $358 billion, about $3,000 per household … and that's just the monetary," he explained.

"Everybody in this room has helped out somebody at some time just because they needed the help whether it be monetary or shoveling the snow off their driveway or maybe pulled the grass out of their rocks here. We do a whole lot of giving in this country because, at our core, that's the way we are," Jennings said.

"Our role is not to just open up our wallets and to give. It's the spirit of living together and working together that makes us what we are. Everybody in here is used to service. You wouldn't be in here wearing these great uniforms if we were not service-oriented people. During this year's CFC, I challenge each and every one of you to tell two or three people about why it's important for you to give of your time, why it's important to give of your resources, and why it's important to be kind to one another," he continued.

Jennings went on to explain that while the actual gift people give is tangible, 'giving' makes people feel good about themselves for being able to help the less fortunate. He briefly went on to describe how CFC evolved and how the program gives federal employees a single outlet through which to donate annually. He implored those at the breakfast to give generously and "see our numbers go up this year."

Maj. Gen. Scott D. Berrier, commanding general, U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence and Fort Huachuca, gave the closing remarks, thanking everyone for being at the CFC breakfast.

"If you are at the rank of E4 and above, you are a leader and you have a piece of the rock. The piece of the rock is Fort Huachuca and our community. It's about taking care of the community. It's about giving back to others, as well. CFC is about giving back. The interesting thing about CFC is that we are able to target the donations we make to the organizations that are of interest to us," Berrier said.

The commanding general shared a few of the organizations he and his wife donate to.

"One is the Alzheimer's Foundation because we had parents and grandparents who suffered, so we wanted to do something about that," Berrier said. "Also St. Jude Children's [Research] Hospital. If you've ever seen a sick kiddo -- that's a tough deal. We thought St. Jude's was doing the right thing.

"You can support organizations that matter to you. We have a goal of $200,000 this year; let's see if we can exceed that and give back a piece of the rock," Berrier said.

The CFC is the largest annual workplace charitable program combining a multitude of non-profit organizations. It allows employees to decide which organization or organizations they wish to donate to. There are more than 25,000 charities locally, nationally and internationally to choose from. Pledges made by federal Civilian, postal and military donors during the campaign season support eligible non-profit organizations that provide health and human service benefits throughout the world.

The CFC mission statement is to support and promote philanthropy through a program that is employee-focused, cost-efficient and effective in providing all federal employees the opportunity to improve the quality of life for all.

Charities and organizations supported by the CFC assist people who need help, to include homeless, hungry and sick children and families. According to the website www.cfcaz.org, almost all of what is donated is sent to the charities, with only a small percentage being used for administrative costs.

Service members and federal employees can make donations via payroll deduction of an amount of their choice (starting in January), or a lump sum via check or cash. The payroll deduction option gives an advantage, allowing a small amount to be deducted each pay period to the charity an employee may have a specific interest in. Contractors can make donations by check or cash only.

For more information or to make a donation, contact the CFC coordinator at 520.533.4239 or go to www.cfcaz.org.