CFC-Overseas successful

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JAPAN

01.20.2012

Story by Sgt. Heather Brewer 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP FOSTER, Japan - The Combined Federal Campaign-Overseas wrapped up its 2011 campaign here Dec. 2, after two months of raising money for approved charitable organizations around the world.

According to the CFC website, the CFC is the world’s most successful annual workplace charity campaign, with more than 200 campaigns worldwide, helping to raise millions of dollars each year. Pledges made by federal civilian, postal and military donors during the campaign seasons go toward nonprofit organizations that provide health and human service benefits to needy individuals throughout the world.

“The CFC supports over 2,400 charities that depend upon our generosity to better the lives of people and communities in need,” said Lt. Col. James E. Howard, the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Japan, project officer for the 2011 CFC-O.

The campaign, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, has continued to gain momentum since its beginning in 1961, and is now the largest workplace philanthropic fundraiser in the world.

“The 2011 CFC-O was a dominating success this year,” said Capt. Eric P. Crecelius, the adjutant and community area project officer for 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. “U.S. Pacific Command CFC-O broke through the $5 million mark in donations, which is up nearly $700,000 from the 2010 campaign.”

Approved charitable organizations within the CFC-O include disease research, rehabilitating wounded military personnel, and providing relief for natural disasters and poverty on a national and international scale.

“CFC-O is literally a one-stop shop for charitable donations, everything from medical treatment, education programs and community-support activities to a variety of humanitarian and disaster-relief organizations,” said Howard.

“No gift is too small,” he added.

Some of the donations from this year’s campaign will go toward relief efforts from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that struck mainland Japan.

“Of particular note to those serving in Japan, there are more than 30 charities within the CFC-O who are actively providing assistance to areas devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami last spring,” Howard said. “Recovery efforts initiated by Operation Tomodachi will continue for a long time, and the organizations assisting our neighbors on mainland Japan will benefit from the donations made by (U.S.) Marine (Corps) Forces, Japan.”

A 2011 CFC-O recognition ceremony is scheduled for March 2 at the Ocean Breeze on Camp Foster.

• Date Taken: 01.20.2012
• Date Posted: 01.19.2012 19:46
• Story ID: 82596
• Location: CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP