CFC wrap-up event planned Published Dec. 5, 2013 By Mark Wyatt 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- With a little more than a week left in Hanscom's Combined Federal Campaign, organizers have planned a CFC culmination event at the Minuteman Commons Dec. 11 scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. A basket auction, a chili cook off, and a cookie contest are a few of the events scheduled. "This final event will be a great opportunity for people to come together and have a good time while giving back to those less fortunate," said 2nd Lt. Claire Davis, Hanscom's CFC manager. "It is a fun and easy solution for those who haven't had a chance to donate or who have been unsure on how they want to do so." For those interested in entering the chili cook-off, cookie contest or in helping make a themed basket for auction, Davis asks that people email her. In an email to base personnel, 66th Air Base Group Commander Lester A. Weilacher wrote that while there is much to be thankful, he acknowledged that 2013 has been a challenging year. "These challenges have included: The impacts of furlough and government shutdown; historic flooding in Colorado resulting in the deaths of nine people and over $2 billion in property damage; and the recent devastation of the Philippines by Typhoon Haiyan, which left over 5,500 dead and millions without homes," he wrote. "In each of these situations, and many others too numerous to list, help has come from numerous agencies we have an opportunity to contribute to through the CFC." With most fundraising events successfully completed, organizers are now shifting their focus to making 100 percent contact with base employees. "As Team Hanscom, we are currently at 90 percent of our contact goal and roughly 30 percent of our monetary goal," wrote Weilacher. "With your generosity and the great efforts of our key workers to ensure each person has a meaningful, personal opportunity to contribute, I know we will be able to reach our contact goal as well as raise needed funds for deserving organizations." Deserving organizations that will allow base personnel the opportunity to donate to a charity that through personal experiences may be important to them, Davis said. "I didn't realize how broad the Combined Federal Campaign's scope was before I volunteered to be this year's campaign manager," she said. "There are so many incredible opportunities to give to a charity that may have impacted base employees -- such as a natural disaster." The campaign includes a new feature for donors this year: an online pledge option available through the Defense Finance and Accounting Service's MyPay website, which most servicemembers and civilians already use to view their leave and earnings statements. "Donating online through MyPay is really easy; it eliminates paper and is going to save time for employees," said Davis. A link for "Combined Federal Campaign" has been added under "Pay Changes" on the first page of MyPay. Donors simply need to enter the Eastern Massachusetts campaign code of 0427 and then select their donation amount and charities. In addition to the MyPay option, federal employees have a variety of other options for giving. They may choose to deduct a certain amount from each paycheck or give a one-time donation. One-time donations will still need to be made by completing a pledge card. If employees choose a payroll deduction, they may do so by either filling out a pledge card or through MyPay. Unit CFC representatives are in the process of passing out pledge cards and charity catalogs. There are thousands of CFC approved charities listed that range from local food pantries to international organizations. Employees may also visit the CFC of Eastern Massachusetts website to download a searchable charities list or search for charities directly through MyPay during the donation process. For further information about the Combined Federal Campaign of Eastern Massachusetts, visit www.easternmasscfc.org. To make a donation to Hanscom's CFC, contact 2nd Lt. Davis at Claire.Davis@hanscom.af.mil.