Fifty Years Of Caring Through CFC

By Skip Vaughn, USAG RedstoneSeptember 21, 2011

Sparkman High School Cheerleaders Pump Up the Crowd
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Spc. Walter Russ Plays The Clarinet
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REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala.--This is a milestone year for the Combined Federal Campaign.

The year 2011 represents CFC's golden 50th anniversary. The Tennessee Valley Combined Federal Campaign opened with a kickoff Sept. 14 in Bob Jones Auditorium.

Since 1961, federal employees at Redstone Arsenal and throughout a six-county area have had the opportunity to give to the charities of their choice through CFC.

"This year is special because we're celebrating our 50th anniversary -- 50 years of caring," Donna Johnson, chairperson of the Local Federal Coordinating Committee, said.

Maj. Gen. Jim Rogers, commander of the Aviation and Missile Command and senior commander of Redstone Arsenal, is the honorary chairman of the 2011 campaign.

His remarks were featured on a video about CFC's 50-year history. "Let's continue to work together to make a lasting difference in people's lives," he said.

Addressing the audience, Garrison commander Col. John Hamilton said this community has always given and will continue to do so.

"Give, give till it hurts," Hamilton said. "And know that it makes a huge difference in the lives of this country and around the world."

John Nerger, executive deputy to the commander of Army Materiel Command, said AMC wants to make a difference as a new member of this community.

"Thanks to CFC for 50 years of providing incredible service to our country and to our globe," Nerger said.

Eighty charitable agencies set up booths in the Sparkman Parade Field as participants in the agency fair which followed the kickoff.

The Combined Federal Campaign was born March 18, 1961 when President John F. Kennedy signed an executive order forming a charitable donation system that allows federal employees to make payroll deductions and/or one-time voluntary contributions to their favorite charities. In the 50 years that followed, the Combined Federal Campaign has raised more than $6.8 billion for charitable organizations. Also during this time, the campaign has grown to be the most inclusive workplace giving campaign in the world. Today, there are 203 Combined Federal Campaigns and more than 20,000 charities worldwide participate in those campaigns.

The Tennessee Valley Combined Federal Campaign has grown with the national program, making it number 20 on the list of campaigns that have raised the most funds for charity. There are 65 federal agencies in the six-county area, representing 18,400 federal employees.

The 2011 goal is to raise $2.4 million in the Tennessee Valley campaign. Normally, about half of the money raised is designated to local charities with the other 50 percent designated to national and international charities, all of which are chosen by the federal employee donor.

For this 50th anniversary, Johnson has issued what she calls her 50/50 Challenge: If you've never contributed, make a $50 voluntary contribution to a campaign that helps this community. And if you are a loyal donor who contributes to this worthy cause, give an extra $50 more in honor of the 50th anniversary.

"We want this year to be the greatest year ever," Johnson said.

In this year's booklet that federal employees will receive during the Tennessee Valley campaign, there are 198 local charity organizations in the listing of 2,200 national and international charities from which federal employees can choose for their donations.

Combined Federal Campaign materials will be distributed by Arsenal organizations to their employees. In addition, all other federal employees throughout Madison, Morgan, Marshall, Limestone, Lawrence and Cullman counties will receive the materials. Those charities listed in the campaign's booklet have been approved by the Tennessee Valley Local Eligibility Committee.

The 2010 CFC exceeded its $2.1 million goal with $2,793,477 in contributions.

Some 197 local charities participated in the 2010 campaign; and they were among approximately 2,800 local, national and international charities.