IWAKUNI, Japan -Station residents gathered at the baseball field across from Building One Sept. 21, 2012, for the Combined Federal
Campaign kickoff.
The kickoff consisted of a chili cook-off, as well as a home-run
derby contest. According to the CFC website, the mission of the
CFC is to promote and support philanthropy through a program
which is employee-focused, cost-efficient and effective in providing all federal employees the opportunity to improve the quality of life for all.
“The CFC has given over six billion dollars since the 1960s,”
said 1st Lt. German Alicea, station finance officer and CFC
community area project officer. “It gives us an opportunity to
have our servicemembers on board the station to go ahead and give to specific organizations that they believe in, whether
that organization is for disease research, preventing hunger or
simply preserving a right that we believe in.”
The CFC provided servicemembers with various charities to choose from and a free lunch. “Basically, you pick a charity, it could be the USO, health centers or the Red Cross. They are nonprofit
organizations so they give a lot of what they receive,” said Staff Sgt. Jay Santiago, station outbound staff noncomissioned
officer-in-charge.
The servicemembers who hosted the event were all
volunteers, some were even on leave. “I'm out here for two reasons, one is I love grilling, grilling is always a good time. And two, I think it is important for people to get educated on what types of charities are out here and donate to something that they
can relate to while feeling good about themselves,” said 2nd Lt.
Andrew Smith, volunteer grill worker and station financial
management specialist.
Donors may give as much as they wish to an organization of their
choosing. Charities within the CFC have no limit on the amount
of money they can receive. Servicemembers were not
limited to just donating at the kickoff. The CFC will hold events
aboard station for the next two months and even offers a website
for those interested in learning more.
“People who want to give but weren’t able to come out can do
it at their own discretion at home from their computer,” said Alicea.