How does CFC help? Published Nov. 9, 2011 By Sarah Olaciregui 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Less than three weeks remain in this year's Combined Federal Campaign and donations are adding up. More than $125,000 has been raised so far, which is 40 percent of the overall goal. "We are a little bit behind schedule, but I have faith that Team Hanscom will reach the goal," said 1st Lt. Jessica Zencey, installation campaign manager. "We are making a strong push this week." As employees contemplate if or how much to give, they may be interested to know how their donations can help philanthropy efforts locally and globally. According the CFC of Eastern Massachusetts website, www.easternmasscfc.org, donating $1 a week buys 12 elementary school students trained volunteer tutors to help with reading and math. It can also help 10 children receive bilingual beginning-to-read books to build early literacy skills. This small donation can buy three 30-minute appointments for health assessments and counseling for individuals facing physical or mental health challenges. Those employees who are able to afford a $5 per week donation can help provide clothing, shoes and a winter coat for an individual who has lost everything, temporary shelter for a family of four for three nights following a disaster or shelter for 10 people for one night. Donating $5 a week, or $260 a year, can also provide gas or power service for an elderly or disabled person who has been threatened with a utilities termination notice. Employees who can afford to donate $10 a week can help even more. This philanthropic donation can take care of five and a half weeks of work training, a lightweight wheelchair for a person who is physically challenged or two days of care for a terminally ill individual. In addition, this weekly amount allows five people being treated for mental illness to attend recovery classes that provide education, peer support and healing strategies. "Most everyone has budget concerns right now, but this data shows even a little bit of money can go a long way toward caring for those less fortunate," said Lieutenant Zencey. "I hope everyone can contribute something for CFC." CFC Events Nov. 22: Fun Run, Chili Cook-off and Silent Auction. A 10K fun run begins at 11 a.m. at the Minuteman Commons. There is a $10 entry fee for the 10K and each participant will get three raffle tickets to use toward the chili cook-off. The top finishers will receive T-shirts and a gift card to GNC. These donations will be split among five foundations all geared towards heart health. Charities include the American Heart Association (11236), Children's Heart Foundation (11034), Heart Disease Research Institute (12239), Vascular Disease Foundation (11851) and Little Hearts for Little Tots (10340). Participants may pick which charity they want your donation to go to when registering. The Chili Cook-off will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in The Tavern. Entry to the competition is free. There will be $50 gift cards presented to the winners from the following categories: best traditional, best spicy and best unique batches. Money raised from this event will go towards the Hanscom charity Friends of Family Services (33931). A silent auction will take place at the commons during the cook-off. There will be five themed baskets up for auction, including Dinner and a Movie Basket, Spa Basket, Car Wash Basket, Diaper Cake Basket and a Fitness Basket. Bidding will start at $30. Money raised from this event will go toward Operation Homefront (12526). CFC Representatives Hanscom representative: 1st Lt. Jessica Zencey 781-225-0657 66th Air Base Group: Master Sgt. Stacy Carmichael Electronic Systems Center: Senior Airman Rasec Vargas Battle Management Directorate: Capt. Eric Alonso-Bernal Cyber/Netcentric Directorate: Lt. Omar Manning C2ISR Directorate: Capt. Reyn Yamashiro 46th Test Squadron: Capt. Josh Heacock