Edwards AFB News

Edwards ready to 'lead by deed' during CFC

  • Published
  • By Jet Fabara
  • 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  With this year's Combined Federal Campaign underway as of Oct. 8, Team Edwards leadership showed their support by filling out their pledge forms to kick off the annual event.

This year's monetary goal for Edwards is $375,000 with the theme being, "Lead by Deed, Donate Today."

"Although last year's goal was $403,000, this year's monetary goal was lowered to account for the worries people have due to furlough and a government shutdown," said Capt. Ronald Elazegui , 412th Medical Support Squadron chief of pharmacy services and CFC installation representative.

During this year's campaign, Elazegui mentioned that there will be approximately 50 people volunteering with three alternate installation representatives to assist base personnel with questions about the CFC and to collect pledge forms.

"It's awesome to see this many people volunteering," said Elazegui. "There are many reasons for their participation. Many have family members with medical conditions that are represented by the charities."

Among those volunteering, Master Sgt. Johnathon Larson, a CFC alternate installation representative with 411th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, said this campaign really hits home because of the importance and meaning it has to one of his family members.

"Since my wife was diagnosed with Lupus a few years back, this allows me the opportunity to easily donate to the American Lupus Foundation. The CFC has all the information readily available, and makes it easy to donate through payroll deduction. It's a safe way to ensure my money is safeguarded," added Larson. "I like to point out to individuals that everyone usually has a family member or friend that has benefited by a charity either through research, or other means, and that's why this really hits home with me personally, and why I so strongly endorse the CFC."

"I volunteered because I believe in the goals of the CFC. This is the best way for these organizations to find the support they need, and it is very important to me to be in a position where I can help them do that," said 1st Lt. Dan Kempf, CFC alternate installation representative with the 412th Security Forces Squadron.

This year's CFC will run from Oct. 8 through Nov. 22.

"It's important to foster a sense of community here. If we can help each other internally, it lessens the burden on the rest of society and we can more directly see the benefits of our community involvement," said 1st Lt Seth A. Martin, CFC alternate installation representative from the 772nd Test Squadron.

"There are many types of organizations to donate to. They range from animal shelters, medical research facilities to community charities," added Elazegui. "The charities rely on the CFC in many ways. It frees up resources, because they do not have to fund raise as much. It also gives them a reliable source of income and they know how much money is coming in, which will allow them to plan better."

The CFC is the world's largest and most successful annual workplace charity campaign, with almost 200 CFC campaigns throughout the country and overseas raising millions of dollars each year. Pledges made by Federal civilian, postal and military donors during the campaign season, Sep.1 to Dec. 15, support eligible non-profit organizations that provide health and human service benefits throughout the world.

For more information about the list of charities can be found in a CFC booklet, distributed by each unit CFC representative, or online at http://www.cfcofgreatersocal.org/_root/, where people can search for their charity of interest.