Make a difference through CFC Published Oct. 5, 2015 By Senior Airman Janelle Patiño 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- The 2015 Combined Federal Campaign began Sept. 1 and will run through Dec. 30. Fairchild will start with an event Oct. 5 at the Red Morgan Center to familiarize federal employees with companies that get help from the campaign. The CFC started in 1962 when President John Kennedy signed a law allowing federal employees to donate to various charitable organizations. It is now known to be the most inclusive workplace giving campaign in the world, with the number of participating charities estimated at over 20,000 nonprofit charitable organizations worldwide. The campaign is an authorized fundraiser for federal employees at their workplaces where they can make charitable donations through myPay, payroll deduction, cash or check. "The CFC gives us the opportunity to help other people in our own little way," said Capt. Mossaab Benhammou, CFC program officer. "Donating a small amount to the CFC can make a difference to those who are in need." According to Benhammou, the goal this year is to reach out to all of the federal employees and educate them that any amount of donation will have a positive impact for many individuals who might need it. In 2014, 25 percent of federal employees participated worldwide. "The goal this year for Fairchild is to have 100 percent contact to all of the federal employees on base and get a two percent increase compared to last year's donations," he said. "By contact, I mean having face-to-face conversations with everybody and not just through emails or flyers." Donations can go to more than 2,700 charitable organizations, which are pre-screened and include local, national and international options. The American Red Cross, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Inland Northwest, Ronald McDonald House, American Cancer Society, Hospice of Spokane are just a few of the many organizations. "I encourage everyone to take time and donate because you never know when you, or your family, might need it as well," he said. "This kind gesture is also an opportunity to make our community a better place." 1st Lt. Heather Brown, 92nd Medical Support Squadron RMO flight commander, shared how the CFC helped her and her family when they needed it most. She is thankful for everything it has done for her family and many other families that are in need. "My daughter, 19 months old at the time, had a severe illness and had to stay at the Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. We were at the hospital for two weeks," she said. "Instead of traveling far everyday, the hospital offered for my husband to stay at the Ronald McDonald tree house and pay what he could afford." The tree house is one of the many charities CFC sends the donations to and Brown is very thankful for all the help they got from the hospital. Each unit at Fairchild will have its own flight or squadron trained representatives who will go around offices and talk to as many employees they can get to educate them about the campaign. "While doing so, representatives will be able to help them complete the transaction on donating," Benhammou said. "This campaign occurs yearly to give not only the active duty members in the 92nd Air Refueling Wing, but also all employees in the tenant units and civilian employees the chance to give back." For more information about the CFC and how to donate, contact Capt. Benhammou at (509) 247-5757 or ask your respective squadron or flight representatives.