FORT BENNING, Ga. Aca,!" Take out your wallet and make a difference for charities. The Combined Federal Campaign kicks off the season of giving Sept. 1 with the goal of topping last year\'s collection of more than $1.1 million.
The CFC is the only authorized workplace giving drive of employees in the federal workplace to support local, national and international charitable organizations that provide health and human services, according to the Office of Personnel Management's website at www.opm.gov/cfc.
"Not everyone has the time, talent or motivation to do charitable work ... but through the CFC, we all have the chance to be thoughtful about what cause is important to us and support it with a little bit of our paycheck," said Laura Walker, Fort Benning Regional CFC manager.
There are 96 local charities in this year's campaign, Walker said.
"They are all nonprofits and spend most of their time actually serving their population - it's hard to do all that work and raise money too - so the CFC fills a vital need to help fund these agencies so they can continue to do what they do best," she said.
Smith Fitness Center will host a "PT for CFC" kickoff starting at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 1 with an opening ceremony followed by elective physical training and two scheduled competitions: a rock climbing contest and football accuracy throw. There will be remarks from COL Tom Macdonald, garrison commander, and Walker.
Distinguished guests include Columbus Lions owner John Hargrove and United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley's Scott Ferguson.
Attendees are encouraged to wear PT uniforms or exercise clothing. Healthy snacks, water and fitness drinks will be available.
Find charities to support
The 2010 catalog lists more than 4,000 approved organizations. To receive approval, CFC charities are evaluated to ensure they are legitimate, accountable and responsible. A volunteer from your agency is responsible for ensuring you receive a catalogue listing and a pledge card. The deadline to contribute is Dec. 15.
For more information, visit www.columbusbenningcfc.org.
CFC key personnel training sessions
9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Sept. 9
9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Sept. 14
Key persons and project officers need only attend one of the training sessions. Sessions located in Pratt Hall.
Snapshot of how local charities use donated CFC money**
*Fort Benning Girl Scouts
- Scholarships for summer camp and trips
- Group activities
House of Heroes
- Paint, appliances, flooring and other supplies to repair homes for military and public safety veterans and their spouses
Operation Homefront Georgia
- Care packages for Soldiers
- Help with paying for necessities for wounded or deployed Soldiers and their families
*Parent Teacher Organizations, Fort Benning
- Library books, art supplies, field trips and new technology
PAWS Columbus
- Spaying and neutering animals to reduce the number of unwanted litters
- Maintaining a no-kill shelter
*Santa's Castle
- Christmas presents for children of financially struggling military families
USO Georgia
- Care packages for deployed troops, phone cards, event tickets, and refreshments
Resources for programs at Georgia USOs, including the one in Columbus
*Funded through the Soldier and Family Support Association, a nonprofit organization covered under the CFC.
**These are just a few of the local organizations that benefit from CFC contributions.
2009 Fort Benning CFC awards
OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP
Andrea Kunst, 1st Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment, 197th Infantry Brigade
JoAnn Montgomery, Army and Air Force Exchange Service
SSG Cheryl Greenwood-Mays, Medical Department Activity
MAJ Brett Brown, 1st Battalion, 330th Infantry Regiment, 198th Infantry Brigade
SPC Keith Evans, 2nd Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 198th Infantry Brigade
SFC James Kuhl, 2nd Battalion, 58th Infantry Regiment, 198th Infantry Brigade
HIGHEST AVERAGE DONATION
Small Unit: Equal Employment Opportunity
Medium Unit: Department of Human Resources / G1
Large Unit: Medical Department Activity
COMMANDER'S TROPHY
Winner: 198th Infantry Brigade
Runner-up: 13th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion
MOST IMPROVED
Small Unit: 641st Mobilization Troop Command
Medium Unit: G3
Large Unit: AAFES
HIGHEST AVERAGE DONATION,
OFF-POST AGENCY
Federal Aviation Administration
MOST IMPROVED, OFF-POST AGENCY
Social Security Administration
CIVILIAN PACESETTER AWARD
Delores Carter, United States Postal Service
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