NEWPORT, R.I. - The Center for Service Support (CSS) announced today that it will officially close out its Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) donation season Jan. 16.
Created in the 1960s by President John F. Kennedy, the program was designed to give federal employees a chance to donate to a variety of charities once per year without constant solicitation by individual organizations.
The CFC is the only government-authorized charity organization that provides service members an opportunity to donate to a charity of their choosing. Sailors may choose to either donate to specific charity organizations or to CFC as a whole.
"I think it was a very important to provide sailors and civilian employees the information and opportunity to donate to their favorite charities," said Chief Logistics Specialist (SW/AW) Garrett Gardiner, command CFC coordinator from Albany, La. "It was easier for contributors to donate because they knew the bulk of your donation was going to the cause they’re passionate about. That is the most important aspect of any charitable program."
Gardiner said the sailors and civilian employees involved in CFC outreach efforts employed promotional activities which raised the program’s overall awareness and garnered generous donations.
"In addition to weekly fundraising activities, we worked with our social media program administrators and local newspapers to get the word out," said Gardiner. "There were a lot of deserving charities that provide assistance and services for millions of people who need help."
Sailors and civilians contributed by filling out pledge cards that designated the donation amount made over a 12-month paycheck allotment or with a one-time donation by cash or check. If they choose to do an allotment, that amount is deducted during a 12-month period.
Command Master Chief (SW/SCW/AW) Ray Rosado from New Britain, Conn., thanked everyone who donated through the CFC campaign.
"Our people enrich their communities every day," said Rosado. "A lot of our people donated their time and money to charities that are important to them. CFC gave our sailors choices in donation amount, frequency of contribution and what charitable organization received their donation. CFC allowed our team to affect the community and the world. Everyone who participated in the program should be commended.
CSS and its learning sites provide sailors with the knowledge and skills needed to support the fleet's warfighting mission. More than 300 staff and faculty work hand-in-hand with the fleet and are dedicated to ensure training is current and well executed on behalf of 10,000 sailors who graduate from CSS courses annually in the administration, logistics and media communities.