FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- The largest annual federal charitable campaign kicked off Sept. 22 with Fort Rucker's highest goal yet: aiming to raise $250,000 for local, national and international charities.
The Combined Federal Campaign is the only authorized solicitation of federal employees in their workplaces on behalf of charitable organizations, said Brig. Gen. Anthony G. Crutchfield, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker commanding general, who also serves as the Wiregrass Area CFC chairman.
The campaign runs now through Oct. 29, said Beverly Arnold, Wiregrass Area CFC manager.
More than 2,000 organizations supported by the campaign focus on education, animals, medicine, health, agriculture, recreation, sports, human services, foreign affairs, civil rights, philanthropy, religion and other causes, she said.
Officials celebrated this year's start with a luncheon at The Landing Wednesday, with more than 200 people in attendance.
Last year, Wiregrass area campaign funds raised a total of $299,704, meeting more than 127 percent of the 2009 goal, Arnold noted.
The key to making 2010 even more successful is "100 percent awareness," she said, because "most people will give if you ask them."
Key workers, or volunteers, visit every federal employee until the campaign ends. They provide educational material and pledge forms. Those solicited include servicemembers, Department of the Army civilians and employees of the commissary, post office and social security administration, said Col. Patrick Denman, Local Federal Coordinating Committee Wiregrass Area CFC chairman and U.S. Army Aeromedical Center commander.
"As Soldiers and leaders, it is important to give because you're supporting agencies providing outreach services to those in need," he said. "You're helping others help others. There's no greater gift than that."
While there are many organizations contributors can give to, Arnold encouraged people to select carefully, and choose charities that they are passionate about.
"Everyone is probably affected by funds that go into CFC without even knowing it," she said. "You never know when you're going to be the one who needs help."
Emergency agencies aren't the only organizations that could potentially benefit someone personally, Arnold said. Many people gain from sports, youth or community programs on a daily basis.
CW3 Jay Pofcher, a UH-60 Black Hawk instructor pilot with E Company, 1st Battalion, 212th Aviation Regiment, is a key worker this year. He's supported CFC for several years, especially animal advocacy organizations, because he believes in the campaign's effectiveness.
"It feels good to participate. I've heard testimonies about how the money raised helps," he said. "Soldiers should donate to a special cause or charity of their choice."
Rasalyn Davis, Directorate of Human Resources office support, will also be educating her peers on the importance of CFC over the next six weeks. After struggling with health issues, she believes funding medical research is critical to finding new treatments and cures from chronic diseases.
"I believe in the causes. There's a cause out there for everybody and that particular cause might affect you someday," Davis said. "I'm excited to just help. When I find a cause, I give 110 percent. It matters to me."
Giving to CFC is easy, Arnold said. Contributors can make donations by cash or check when filling out pledge forms, or have designated amounts automatically deducted from their paychecks starting in January. Payroll deduction offers several benefits.
"They can end up giving more to charity through payroll deduction because it spreads the contribution out and makes it easier on their finances," she said.
Large, wooden CFC "thermometer" signs will be placed at each gate to update the community of the campaign's progress through the end of the season, Arnold said.
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