Combined Federal Campaign to begin Oct. 1

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Lisa Spilinek
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AFB, Mass. --  The 2008 Combined Federal Campaign will run here Oct. 1 to Nov. 14. The slogan for this year's campaign is "Caring for Communities."

The CFC program gives federal employees and servicemembers the opportunity to contribute to local, national and international charities.

"CFC charities help care for countless families close to home and throughout the global community. Contributions aid the disabled, the elderly and those suffering from chronic illness. They fund programs to assist at-risk young people and provide pathways out of poverty, abuse and homelessness. They support the arts, health initiatives, the environment, medical research and public safety initiatives," stated Rear Adm. Dale G. Gabel, 1st Coast Guard District commander and the 2008 CFC chairman for Eastern Massachusetts, on his region's Web site, www.cfceasternmass.org.  

The campaign is the only period of time where solicitation of personnel in the federal workplace on behalf of charities is authorized. The CFC program takes donations on a strictly voluntary basis and all are welcome to contribute, said Capt. Katherine Stowe, a representative for the campaign at Hanscom.

Base CFC representatives will contact all federal employees at Hanscom during the fundraising period. Those who choose to participate can elect to donate through payroll deductions or make a one-time cash donation through their CFC representative. Contributions are tax-deductible and will begin in January if the payroll deduction plan is used, said Capt. Nicholas Petren, a representative for Hanscom's campaign.

CFC representatives will provide donation forms and books listing hundreds of charities approved for participation in the CFC to base personnel. The books list the charities' contact and Web site information next to their descriptions, along with the percentage of administrative expenses that comes out of each donation. The information in the book is also available on the CFC Eastern Massachusetts Web site.

Last year, Hanscom personnel donated more than $310,000, while $2.25 million was collected from people throughout all of Eastern Massachusetts.

"This year, your help is needed more than ever. With energy prices, food costs and housing expenses at extremely high levels, the organizations that assist people in need are stretched to their limits. Even $1 per week -- less than the cost of one cup of coffee -- can make a huge difference when multiplied by many people who care," Admiral Gabel said.