CFC rallies again to raise funds for charities

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Mike Young
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Base leadership led Team Edwards for this year's Combined Federal Campaign as they submitted their donation forms Oct. 12 at Club Muroc. 

The CFC focuses on raising funds and dispersing them to various charitable organizations. As an organization, the CFC assists charities in reaching out to federal employees for donations. 

"It is an advanced and highly-structured organizational model," said 1st Lt. Ian Erskine, 95th Medical Support Squadron Health Insurance Portability and Accountability security officer. "It allows for centralized giving and disbursement of charitable donations." 

CFC representatives will be actively collecting donations from base personnel until Nov. 16, Lieutenant Erskine said. Their goal is to reach $370,000 and receive at least 20 percent participation throughout the base community. 

The CFC first began as a fund raising opportunity for charitable organizations back in the '40s. It was officially enacted in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, and in 1971, President Richard M. Nixon announced the CFC as the standardized fundraising method for the federal government. 

The campaign continues to raise millions of dollars every year, Lieutenant Erskine said. In 2006, the Greater Los Angeles CFC raised more than $13 million, which was dispersed to various charitable organizations. 

"The easy way to get involved is by making a pledge to your charity of choice," Lieutenant Erskine said. 

Unit CFC representatives have books available listing thousands of charities available for donations through the campaign. Donations can be made through cash, check or payroll deductions. 

"The CFC is the greatest program we have at Edwards to promote our support for the local community and provide a snapshot of the importance we place on helping the less fortunate," Lieutenant Erskine said. "We should be proud of our giving history and be committed to continuing that success by supporting the 2007 CFC campaign."