Want to donate? CFC is there for you!

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kaleb Snay
  • 35th Fighter Wing
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  When thinking about charities, is how hard it is to find a trustworthy organization to pledge your hard earned savings to the first thing that comes to mind? Then the Combined Federal Campaign may be exactly what you need.

The CFC is an annual, nine-week campaign and is the only authorized solicitation of federal employees in their workplace on behalf of approved charitable organizations, said Capt. Christina Geller, CFC community area project officer.

"Basically, instead of military members being bombarded several times throughout the year by different charity organizations, they made a program with only legitimate charities included and gives service members the opportunity to donate through payroll deduction," said Geller.

The CFC coordinates with over 2,500 charities that have gone through a vigorous application process to ensure they are reputable.

"We have thousands of honorable charities and members are guaranteed to find one they can relate to," said Senior Airman Timothy Whitworth, CFC representative. "This is the 51st year for the CFC and there is a reason it is so successful and the reason is us, service members with a caring and giving attitude. I am proud of the CFC and what it represents."

The CFC, started in the early 1960's, is made up of 187 campaigns that organize the annual fund raising efforts in federal workplaces in the U.S. and overseas. To make it easier for those willing to donate, the CFC has an information packet that has the charities organized with brief descriptions, said Geller.

Within the packet, each charity has its name, a five digit code and a description. At the end of the description, there is a percentage and some letters such as C and D.
The percentage stands for the amount that is used for supplies, personnel or other overall costs and the remaining amount is what goes to what the charity supports. The letters are what the charity supports. For example, C stands for environmental quality protection and beautification and D stands for animal related.

With the information organized like this, it makes finding a specific organization easier on those wishing to pledge.

"I think it's great that people have the opportunity to give where they want to make the greatest impact," said Geller.

Some service members feel it is their responsibility to give what they can to the CFC.

"I have been contributing to the CFC for six years. As a member in the Armed Forces, I feel that it is necessary to give back to the community," said Senior Airman Paul Krause, 35th Comptroller Squadron travel pay team lead "Donating allows me to show my support directly to charities that I feel strongly about and I know that each donation regardless of dollar amount is greatly appreciated"

For more information about the CFC and the charities associated, go to www.cfcoverseas.org. Don't delay; make your pledge by November 16.