CFC kicks off at Fairchild

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Mackenzie Richardson
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
Fairchild’s 2016 Combined Federal Campaign kicked off with a charity fair Oct. 7, at the Red Morgan Center.

The fair hosted six charities from the local area to encourage participation regardless of the monetary contribution amount. In 2015, Fairchild raised more than $92,500. The 2016 goal is $95,000; an increase of approximately 2.5 percent.

“The CFC Charity Fair is our chance to bring out local charities from Spokane and give service members an opportunity, as well as the charities, to interact and pass along information concerning their specific charities,” said Master Sgt. Neal Camren, 92nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron lead production superintendent and Fairchild CFC representative. “These charities are in the local area and provide people the chance to directly impact their community and possibly see the difference they are making.”

The CFC is the world’s largest annual workplace charity campaign, with nearly 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 support eligible non-profit organizations that provide health and human service benefits throughout the world.

“Currently, the CFC has more than 20,000 participating non-profit organizations involved worldwide,” said 1st Lt. Luke Restad, 92nd Security Forces Squadron logistics officer and Fairchild CFC representative. “We have two participating organizations on base; Fairchild Operation Warmheart and the Fairchild Youth Center. There are also 82 local organizations participating from the eastern Washington and northern Idaho area.”

Since 1961, the CFC has been coordinating fundraising efforts of various charitable organizations allowing the federal employee to make contributions through payroll deduction. In 2015, the Inland Northwest CFC raised nearly $300,000 in support of charities across the country.

The Fairchild CFC runs from through November 18, providing plenty of opportunity for members to donate to their preferred charities.

“I encourage Airmen to donate however much they feel they can donate,” Restad said. “Every Airmen is in a different place financially and you don’t have to donate hundreds of dollars to make a difference.”

For more information on the CFC campaign and how to donate, contact 1st Lt. Luke Restad at 247-5880 or Master Sgt. Neal Camren at 247-4300.