Combined Federal Campaign kicks off

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Grace Lee
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The annual Combined Federal Campaign began Sept. 23 in support of helping various organizations and charities raise money for their respective causes.

"The CFC began in the early 1960s to coordinate the fundraising efforts of various charitable organizations so the federal donor would be solicited only once in the workplace and have the opportunity to make charitable contributions through payroll deduction," said Abel Perales, Maricopa County CFC director. "Federal employees continue to make the CFC the largest and most successful workplace philanthropic fundraiser in the world."

Last year alone, federal employees raised more than $258 million for charitable causes around the world, Perales said.

There are more than 2,800 CFC-approved charities on the Maricopa County CFC charity list, of which Luke is a part.

"CFC funds go toward organizations such as the Air Force Aid Society, Boys and Girls Club, Meals on Wheels and also environmental conservations and cancer studies," said Maj. Ronald Marquez, 56th Equipment Maintenance Squadron maintenance operations officer and Luke CFC project officer. Luke has a goal and a plan to raise as much funds as possible.

"We assigned a CFC coordinator to each squadron," Marquez said. "Our aim is to have 100 percent meaningful contact by having our coordinators go out and speak with each person face-to-face and talk about what the benefits are to contributing to the cause. This year our goal is to raise $255,000. Last year our goal was $250,000 and we raised $263,000."

There are a few ways Airmen can donate.

They can either fill out the form given by the coordinator or they can go to the Air Force portal, log on to MyPay and click on the "CFC contributions" tab to create a payroll deduction. This year, one can also pay by credit card by going to www.maricopacfc.org and clicking "pledge online." The donation code for Maricopa County is 0052.

CFC representatives said every dollar makes a difference in helping the local community.

"As a military member and American citizen it's important to contribute back to your community," Marquez said. "It's not the dollar figure you contribute that matters; it's the cumulative amount that makes the greatest impact. Even a few dollars will make a great impact."

Those who want to make a donation have until Nov. 8.