CFC begins Oct. 3

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Amy Slye
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  The 50th annual Combined Federal Campaign begins Oct. 3 and runs through Dec. 2.

To kick off the CFC, there will be a 5k "fund run" at the Risner Fitness Center. Signups will start at 5:30 a.m., with the run beginning at 6:30 a.m. after Brig. Gen. Matt Molloy, 18th Wing commander, makes the first donation for Kadena. Since this is for the CFC, donations are welcome, but not required.

Team Kadena's monetary goal for 2011 is $450,000 which can be distributed to any of the existing 2,500 charities CFC supports.

Master Sgt. Michael McKeen, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron heavy repair superintendent, and one of this year's CFC program officers, said this year really marks a mile stone for the CFC.

"50 years of helping others is pretty special," he said.

Included in the charities people can contribute to this year are some that focus on the natural disasters that took place earlier this year.

"There are [an abundance] of charities that benefit people [from] all over the world who have suffered from natural disasters," said McKeen. "There are 40 global charities that have contributed to the victims of last March's earthquake and tsunami in Japan and have helped folks in Korea."

There are also charities available that give directly back to Kadena. One charity that shows the CFC coming full circle is the Family Support and Youth Programs organization.

Last year, the FSYP donations went into buying several computers for the visual and graphic arts programs available through the Youth Programs on base, according to 2nd Lt. Michael Mauro, 718th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron officer in charge and the other CFC program officer.

As another CFC goal is 100-percent contact of potential donors, CFC representatives will be available throughout the wing to help Team Kadena reach this goal.

"Every unit has a representative and by the start of the campaign, Airmen will know who their representatives are because they will be out and about informing every one of what the CFC is and how to donate," Mauro said. "You can make a one-time payment or regular payroll deduction."

This year, the CFC is allowing donations via the web as well as through the paper contribution forms. Starting Oct. 3, people can visit www.cfcoverseas.org and click on "e-Giving" to contribute.

"Folks can donate without leaving their computer," McKeen said.

There's no minimum gift when it comes to giving cash,. Donators can make a one-time payment and currency can be in Japanese yen or American dollars. There is a minimum donation required of $1 a month if making a payroll deduction.