"Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more"- H. Jackson Brown Jr.

We as humans at one time or another need help but we sometimes forget to give back the kindness. We live in this fast-paced world where everyone is too busy with their own life, no one has the time to stop and help someone in trouble or even ask. We should keep in mind that there are others who need our help and assistance. That's why the Combined Federal Campaign-Overseas is so significant.

"Basically, it's a committee of Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps in civilian personnel. They vet charities to see if they are legal and doing the right thing", said Geanno M. Thompson, Site Manager, Military Personnel Division, United States Army Garrison Daegu. "It gives the Soldiers the opportunities to give to their favorite charity."

The CFC-O is the annual workplace giving campaign for the five overseas Unified Combatant Commands. The department of Defense uniformed and civilian personnel stationed overseas can give to more than 2,600 national and international charities and thousands of local charities around the United States through the CFC-O.

Members of the United States military are dedicated to making a difference at home and abroad. Contributing to the CFC-O is a tangible extension of the service you already give to our country. Federal employees have demonstrated a resounding spirit of public service through the Combined Federal Campaign for over 55 years contributing more than $8 billion in donations.

This tradition of caring has been continued by making a pledge today. Through your service to our country, you see hardship every day. Pledging through the CFC is another way to offer help and hope to those who need it most.

The CFC-O offers several ways to make a donation including electronic payroll allotments through your myPay account.

"E-giving is a CFC site where not just Soldiers can give but also civilians and family members can give", stated THOMPSON.

Pledging online is a convenient, safe, effective and confidential way to support your favorite charities. Furthermore, online-giving makes it possible to reduce processing errors and operating costs. You can choose monthly payroll allotments and CFC-O eGiving, onetime or monthly credit/debit card. Spreading your gift over the course of the year through a payroll allotment or recurring credit/debit card donation makes giving affordable while increasing the impact of your gift.

"Instead of the charities coming to different units and asking you throughout the year by 'Hey, can you help us out on this or that?' or 'Can you give money here, or there?', it is one time event and happens once a year", said Karina Lucero, Community Activities Project Officer. "They put all local, national and international charities together and they produce a list and offer it to everyone and the DoD."

Sometimes, most Soldiers don't know where the money is going to and they are usually worried about if the charity actually gets the money. "With this program, the money actually goes to the charity," said Thompson. "It doesn't go to somebody else's pockets, not the organization's pockets. It is designed to protect soldiers, civilians and family members. Also, the undesignated donations, they go back to the Garrison or the communities".

The CFC-O supports many military communities. It raises funds to assist people in need in our military communities, across the nation and around the world. Giving through the CFC-O allows you the chance to donate to causes that influence your life, the lives of your family and friends, and even your fellow service members. Additionally, the CFC-O provides contributors with the opportunity to enhance quality of life in the overseas communities where they live and work by making a donation to Family Support and Youth Programs.

Last year, the benevolent men and women serving in the DoD overseas contributed nearly $7 million to charitable organizations through the CFC-O. In order to support the campaign and encourage participation each year, campaign workers and contributors have requested a greater connection with participating charities. This year, the campaign theme inspires participants to "Show Some Love" by making a pledge to one or more of the thousands of worthy charities and causes. The 2016 campaign already began on 3 October and will finish on 2 December.

There is a saying by Elizabeth Andrew that "Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart". If you are interested in disaster relief, veterans' services and finding cures for diseases or offering therapy for service members returning from deployment overseas, it is great chance for you to represent a federation or charity in the CFC-O.

Through the CFC-O, you can give back to help others who might be in a similar situation. Choose your cause at cfcoverseas.org and Show Some Love today. The sooner you realize how important it is to get out of the selfish lifestyle and do something to influence somebody's life, the better.