Giving back through the Combined Federal Campaign Published Sept. 24, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Janelle Patiño 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Fairchild will kick off the six-week long Combined Federal Campaign Oct. 1, starting with a tailgate party in the parking lot across the new event center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The CFC started 1962 when President John Kennedy signed a law allowing federal employees to donate to various charitable organizations. The campaign is the only authorized fund raiser for federal employees at their workplaces on behalf of approved charities. It gives employees the opportunity to make charitable donations through payroll deduction, cash or check. "The purpose of the campaign is to support and promote philanthropy through a voluntary program that's employee focused, cost efficient and effective in providing all federal employees the opportunity to improve the quality of life for all," said Capt. Matthew Willerick, CFC program officer. According to Willerick, the goal for this year's campaign is to help educate everyone in the Fairchild community about the positive impact even a small charitable donation can have on many individuals. "Many of us do not realize that the person sitting next to you or possibly even yourself at some point has benefited from the charitable organizations represented by CFC," he said. "Donating even just a little can have a far reaching effect on someone halfway around the world and more importantly someone right next door." During the last campaign, 16 percent of the base donated and had a 15 percent increase in donations as compared to 2011, with over $135,000 coming from Team Fairchild to help health and human service benefits throughout the world. Donations can go to more than 2,700 charitable organizations, which are pre-screened and include local, national and international options to give back. "Here at Fairchild we have a proud tradition of reaching out to 100 percent of the federal employees that we have at our installation," Willerick said. "This is a significant feat that occurs yearly and includes not only the active duty members in the 92nd Air Refueling Wing, but also all our brothers and sisters in the tenant units and civilian employees that make our base the great installation that it is." Each unit at Fairchild will have its group or squadron representative trained on how to complete the transactions. A new way to donate is through the MyPay system. There will be a CFC tab located on the main page after signing in. "There are several specific steps to take to ensure that your donations get under the Fairchild CFC campaign," said Willerick. "All employees have two choices on how to donate; however, the electronic method allows for another way to search for and donate to the charitable organization of their choosing." Col. Brian Newberry, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander, encourages Team Fairchild to participate in this year's campaign. "Combined Federal Campaign is a campaign which extends our core value of Service Before Self. It gives us the freedom to choose a multitude of organizations that helps others including some that serve military families in their times of need," said Newberry. "Last year, Team Fairchild was incredibly charitable and signaled to me how special our Airmen are -- Service Before Self is our calling." For more information about CFC, call Capt. Matthew Willerick at 509-247-2731.