Using the national CFC theme of “Show Some Love,” the campaign will seek to raise at least $1.5 million, said Susy Himelhoch, Miami Valley CFC volunteer executive director. In 2016, the local effort was the third-largest CFC e-pledge campaign in the world, she noted.
Ray Otto of the 88th Logistics Readiness Squadron is serving as the campaign’s chair. Col. Rick Johns of Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command is this year’s vice-chair; Master Sgt. Fanny Wright is his CFC action officer. Other leadership includes loaned executives Airman 1st Class Jeremy Tobar of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, and Chantaé Gray of the 711th Human Performance Wing, United States School of Aerospace Medicine.
Donations in any amount are greeted by the charities with gratitude, Himelhoch said.
“The charities are so appreciative and the needs are so vast,” she said. “Many have been touched by recent disasters and other events, and they need to replenish their supplies.”
The wide spectrum of CFC-approved charities also includes the fine and performing arts, environmental causes and veteran and animal welfare, Himelhoch pointed out. Donors may give to any CFC-approved charity, no matter where it or the donor’s duty assignment is located.
New and sweeping regulations, initiated in 2012 by the Office of Personnel Management and authorized by Congress, have introduced changes to the pledging system. Cash and checks are no longer being accepted; because of that, fund-raisers are no longer being conducted. Instead, e-pledges and credit and debit pledges are being emphasized, and awareness events are being held.
“Learning about the great work the charities do locally, statewide, regionally, nationally and internationally is what CFC is about,” Himelhoch said.
Key Miami Valley Combined Federal Campaign awareness events/dates
■ Charity Fair and Campaign Kickoff for all Department of Defense and federal employees, Oct. 11, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Nutter Center concourse level, Wright State University. Presenting at least 85 local and national charities; food trucks will be available for purchasing lunch.
■ Awareness Event at Dayton VA, Oct. 12.
■ Air Force Research Laboratory Golf Outing and Luncheon, Oct. 13, rules 8:30 a.m., Prairie Trace Golf Course, luncheon at Wright-Patt Club. Reservations due by Oct. 2. Contact Jeff Leonard, jeffery.leonard@us.af.mil or 937-255-0343.
■ AFLCMC EN-EZ’s 13th annual Pumpkin Chuck, Oct. 27, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., National Museum of the U.S. Air Force flight line. Open to the public. Pumpkin pie baking contest, food truck rally, kids’ zone, live music. Email the Pumpkin Chuck coordination team at AFLCMCEN-EZCFCPumpkin-Chuck@us.af.mil.