CFC Kicks Off Oct. 13

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Katherine Grabham
  • 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --  The 2009 Combined Federal Campaign kicks off on Little Rock Air Force Base Tuesday. This year's theme is simply "I can - now more than ever." 

The campaign's goal is to combine fund raising and donation solicitation into one event, allowing for one large drive rather than multiple, smaller drives throughout the year. 

In 2008, the CFC raised more than $275 million dollars for a variety of charities. More than $220,000 of that money came from right here, with more than 34 percent of the base taking part. Overall, the CFC of Greater Little Rock raised more than $982,400 - the most ever for the area in the drive's history. 

According to B.J. Bowen, the vice president of the CFC of Greater Little Rock, this support helps people in Arkansas receive food, shelter and basic needs. Around the world, the money raised is used to help fund research to find cures for diseases, preserve wildlife and protect the environment. 

According to CFC's official website, the mission of the CFC is to promote and support 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. 

CFC is the world's largest and most successful annual workplace charity campaign, with more than 300 CFC campaigns throughout the country and internationally to help to raise millions of dollars each year. 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. 

"Military and federal employees are the most generous people in the world, as evident by their support of the CFC," Mr. Bowen said. 

This year's Team Little Rock goal is 100 percent contact of the more than 8,000 military and federal employees eligible to pledge, with a participation goal of more than 50 percent. The base is looking to raise $250,000 in during the CFC campaign, which runs from Tuesday until Nov. 20. 

The Team Little Rock CFC group is hosting a CFC kick off breakfast Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. at Hangar 1080 in the ballroom. This breakfast is open to all unit commanders, chiefs, first sergeants and CFC key workers. Key worker training for the 2009 campaign will follow immediately after. The breakfast will be $5 per person. Contact Maj. Ethiel Rodriguez, Little Rock AFB CFC coordinator, at 987-8812 to RSVP.