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Vandenberg's CFC representatives prepare for 2009 campaign
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Vandenberg is scheduled to kickoff off the 2009 Combined Federal Campaign here Oct. 26.
The campaign will run through Nov. 20.
The CFC was established in 1961 and is the largest workplace charity campaign in the country. This annual fall fund-raising drive allows millions of federal employees and military personnel to contribute to thousands of local and national nonprofit organizations.
The CFC was designed to promote philanthropy through a voluntary program that is employee-focused, cost-efficient and effective in providing all federal employees the opportunity to improve the quality of life for all.
Vandenberg is planning to have one CFC representative available to every 12 people on base this year. This will provide for direct contact between the representative and the base populace, which will allow the information to be disseminated directly to the people who are eligible to donate. Every unit will have a main person of contact for the CFC.
"We will be contacting all military personnel, Department of Defense civilians and non-appropriated funds employees," said Capt. Adam Klemens, Vandenberg's CFC project officer. "We want everyone here to know what the CFC program is all about so that our people will be able to make a well informed decision when it's time to donate."
In 2008, out of 3,365 eligible candidates to donate to the CFC from Vandenberg, only 900 people made a donation.
"Our goal this year is to increase the number of people we had last year who donated to the CFC," Captain Klemens said. "Even during times of a struggling economy, we encourage people to donate, even if it's a small amount. No amount is too small when it's for a good cause."
As a way to increase CFC participation, Vandenberg's has added a new element to this year's campaign.
"We are offering an incentive this year," Captain Klemens said. "The base will award a lunch to the unit with the greatest percentage of people who participate in 2009's CFC."
With a little friendly competition aside, the CFC offers other reasons to get involved.
"The CFC includes charities of all sizes," Captain Klemens said. "What is great about the program is that it includes the smaller charities who do not normally have the manpower to run a large-scale campaign. The CFC allows some of the smaller charities to stay open, which empowers them to continue doing good things for us all."
All donations have to be processed using the forms delegated by CFC unit representatives. CFC donations cannot be made online; however, the CFC is the only Air Force sanctioned charity that provides people with the ease to make donations through payroll deductions.
For more information about the CFC, visit www.cfcgoldcoast.org or www.opm.gov/CFC/.