HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – The 2017 Combined Federal Campaign will kick off here Nov. 15 with a goal to raise $140,000 and make 100 percent contact with local military and civilian federal employees.
This year’s CFC drive will continue through Jan. 12.
“The Combined Federal Campaign is the most inclusive workplace giving campaign in the world with more than 8,000 nonprofit charitable organizations worldwide available,” said Capt. Katrina Castellanos, who, along with Staff Sgt. Kadeem Smith, is a CFC installation project officer.
Included among the charities employees may donate to, is the Hanscom-based Friends of Family Services, a 501 (c)(3) private organization.
“Friends of Family Services is the volunteer division of the Airman and Family Readiness Center,” said Kathy Vaillancourt, A&FRC community readiness consultant. “Friends of Family Services programs are tailored to meet the needs of military families, while providing excellent volunteer opportunities for those interested in helping others.”
Donations fund programs to help military families adjust to frequent relocations and deployments through welcome activities, the household loan locker, newborn layettes and support groups. The code for Friends of Family Services is 33931.
Since its inception in 1961, the CFC has promoted and supported philanthropy through an employee-focused program that provides federal employees a way to give back to their communities through a number of charities.
Last year, Defense Department employees contributed more than $67 million to thousands of local, national and international charities. At Hanscom, employees donated nearly $157,000 toward that amount.
Earlier this year, Office of Personal Management officials announced changes to this year’s campaign.
Among them, the MyPay module for CFC giving is no longer available. This year, employees have the option to give via an OPM website offered by the GiveBack Foundation. Federal employees may research participating charities and make an online pledge at www.opm.gov/ShowSomeLoveCFC through the end of the campaign slated for Jan. 12.
The new website requires users to create an account by providing a government or personal email address and password.
Federal employees may also choose to deduct a certain amount from each paycheck or give a one-time donation via credit card or check. For those who choose this option, may either fill out a pledge card or use the OPM site. Anyone interested in making a one-time donation will need to fill out a pledge card through a unit CFC representative.
This year’s CFC drive marks the beginning of a five-year plan to phase out paper-based pledging, which is intended to reduce costs and comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act.
Another notable change this year is the addition of retirees as those who may donate.
“This year marks the first time that retired federal civilians and retired service members may make a CFC contribution via an annuity deduction,” said Smith.
Other changes prohibit cash donations; to include events like bake sales and other CFC fundraising events. Organizers will continue to accept checks, money orders and cashier’s checks.
“There will still be a number of fundraising activities to supplement the charitable contributions employees make,” Castellanos said. “However, these events will focus on increasing the awareness of CFC charities and their mission, not cash fundraising.”
Hanscom CFC organizers are planning a kickoff event on Nov. 21 at the Minuteman Commons. Additional details on this event will be sent via email to employees.
This year Hanscom is part of the CFC of New England, along with other federal organizations in the region, such as the National Park Service and U.S. Postal Service.
For more information on Hanscom’s CFC drive, email Castellanos at katrina.castellanos.2@us.af.mil or Smith at kadeem.smith@us.af.mil.