South Mississippi federal agencies launch 2008 fundraising efforts

Published Sept. 30, 2008
By Staff Sgt. Tanya Holditch
Keesler News editor

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISS. -- The Combined Federal Campaign at Keesler began Wednesday and continues through Oct. 31. This year's goal is $122,000. Last year, the goal was $107,000, but Keesler members surpassed that goal.

"The Combined Federal Campaign is a critical program for many worthy charitable organizations across the country and across the Mississippi Gulf Coast," said Brig. Gen. Greg Touhill, 81st Training Wing commander.

"Airmen traditionally have opened their hearts by contributing generously to the charity of their choice during the October campaign," the general pointed out. "I am amazed throughout the year by folks from different charities who approach me to thank me and our Keesler personnel for their generosity."

All federal agencies in 15 counties in southern Mississippi contributed more than $730,000 in 2007 to the annual federal campaign.

Since the campaign began in 1961, the federal community has donated more than $5.75 billion to the campaign, according to the CFC's Web site.

Federal employees can look through a booklet with more than 20,000 charities, many of which are local, and choose one or more specific charities in the booklet.

If a specific charity is not marked on the form, the money is divided among local charities based on the percentage of contributions. For example, if one charity was designated to receive 50 percent of total contributions, then that charity would receive 50 percent of the unclaimed money. The rest is doled out in the same fashion.

Donations are cash, check or through payroll deduction. If payroll deduction is elected, an allotment is set up for a designated amount each month for 12 months. The minimum monthly deduction is $2 per pay period for military members and $1.50 for civilians.

There are also just as many reasons people donate as there are charities to which federal employees can donate.

"I wanted to be a part of helping people," said Capt. Timothy Fast, 81st Training Group executive officer and CFC project officer. "The military does a great job of taking care of us, but there are other people who could really use the help and aren't quite as fortunate as we are."

Commitment to caring