CFC under way, many ways to give back

  • Published
  • By Myra Saxon
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  The 2015 Miami Valley Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) officially started with the nationally-acclaimed Charity Fair and Campaign Kickoff at the Wright State University Ervin J. Nutter Center Oct. 7.

The event brought in 125 charities that displayed their programs and services.

"We are very thankful for the CFC. The contributions allow Family Services to step in and assist airmen in need when they are unable to obtain grants through the Air Force Aid Society," said Judy Pyron, a volunteer coordinator for Family Services at the Airman & Family Readiness Center here. "We can help in emergency situations by giving food vouchers and paying mortgages, utilities and car payments." 

The behind-the-scenes donations that come in from personnel who contribute to various CFC charities often go unnoticed in the day-to-day hustle, but those donations quietly help in ways many don't realize.

"Just last year, we were able to pay for the airfare of a child who needed to get to a specialized hospital in Washington, DC, said Pyron. "We helped fly a deployed member home to his ill father. Also, we were able to purchase special needs appliances for a family, and a service dog for an autistic child."

"This list goes on and on," she said.

And the list of these helping organizations goes on and on too--organizations that not only help airmen and their families, but the community as well.

"The CFC has greatly helped the Tecumseh Land Trust charity group," says Warren "Gene" Barnett, Jr., former board member and current donor. "CFC has allowed us to continue to conserve prime farmland for future generations in Greene and Clark counties."

Barnett explained how just this year, contributions helped the Techumseh Land Trust put easements on twenty-five thousand acres of farmland and ensure that Glen Helen Nature Preserves in Yellow Springs stays open to the public. 

Once again, disc jockey Billy Thomas, from Air Force Materiel Command, entertained those in attendance by mixing music tunes and keeping the crowd captivated.

Organizations that contributed goods and services to the event include Wright State University, JTM Food Group, Air Force Materiel Command Chief's Group, Wright-Patt Logistics Officers Association, Wright-Patt Junior Force Council, and Spark Space Creative LLC.

According to the CFC website, the campaign, which runs through November 20, is the world's largest and most successful annual workplace charitable giving campaign and since its inception in 1961, DOD, Federal and U.S. Postal Service personnel have contributed more than $7 billion to nearly 24,000 non-profit organizations.

To pledge online now through Nov 20. go to www.miamivalleycfc.org.