RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Service members and civilian employees at Randolph will soon have an opportunity to contribute to their favorite charities.
Randolph's Combined Federal Campaign, an annual effort to raise funds for nonprofit organizations worldwide that provide health and human services, will begin with a breakfast at 7:15 a.m. Sept. 14 at the Parr O'Club.
The kickoff breakfast will feature guest speaker Eric Cooper, president and CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank, one of more than 250 local nonprofit organizations that benefit from the campaign.
"The Combined Federal Campaign lets our Airmen - active duty, civil service and dependents - provide critical support to organizations trying to make the world a better place," Col. Scott Peel, 902nd Mission Support Group commander, said. "Airmen can tailor their contributions to support the organizations that speak to them the most, and can elect to make a difference at the global, national and/or local levels. All contributions are welcome; even the smallest donations can go a long way to make a tremendous difference in people's lives."
Master Sgt. Terri Harmon, Randolph CFC base captain, said personnel involved in the campaign are aiming for 100-percent contact in the first week.
"Key workers will talk to everyone in their unit, especially new Airmen and civilian employees, and make sure they know the campaign has begun and how they can contribute," she said.
CFC, the world's largest annual workplace charity campaign, raised more than $281 million last year, including more than $5.5 million from the San Antonio area. Pledges are made by federal civilian, postal and military donors.
Harmon said the campaign, which runs through Oct. 28, is geared to Airmen and civil service employees, but contractors may also contribute to the effort, though their donations will not be solicited.
Randolph's goal this year is $1,122,923; last year's contributions of $1,109,686 exceeded a goal of $1,078,861 by nearly 3 percent. The 902nd MSG is host organization for the base's campaign; Thomas Goodwin, 902nd Force Support Squadron, is serving as Joint Base San Antonio CFC coordinator, overseeing the efforts of Randolph and Lackland Air Force Bases and Fort Sam Houston.
Harmon said contributors can choose from more than 2,700 charitable organizations worldwide and be sure their money will be spent wisely because every agency has been pre-screened for program integrity and fiscal soundness.
"When you give to an organization, you know your money will be used where you want it to be used," she said. "It does not go to administrative costs."
Participants donate to the campaign through payroll deduction or cash contribution, filling out vouchers to designate one or more of the agencies for their donations.
For more information, call Harmon at 652-2525.