WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- The annual celebratory Charity Fair and Campaign Kickoff supporting the Miami Valley Combined Federal Campaign is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 11 at Wright State University’s Nutter Center. The kickoff is open to all Department of Defense, federal, U.S. Postal Service and Veterans Affairs employees.
The event will include more than 80 charitable organization information booths with information, subject matter experts, giveaways and mementos. Food trucks outside the building will be available for purchasing lunch for a modest price.
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.
The formal part of the campaign runs through Nov. 22. Payroll deductions will be made from January to December 2018.
“We are pleased to be able to support the charitable organizations that will be part of the Miami Valley Combined Federal Campaign,” said Rebecca Westlake, 88th Air Base Wing vice director and chair of the MVCFC’s Board of Governors.
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, U.S. School of Aerospace Medicine.
Donations in any amount are greeted by the charities with gratitude, Himelhoch said, because the needs are so vast and recent disasters and other events mean the charitable organizations 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, fundraisers are no longer being conducted. Instead, e-pledges and credit and debit pledges are being emphasized, and awareness events are being held.
The CFC provides an opportunity to learn about the work charitable organizations do locally, statewide, regionally, nationally and internationally, Himelhoch said.