Combined Federal Campaign opportunity for giving back

  • Published
  • By Col. Greg Touhill
  • 81st Training Wing commander
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Each year the Combined Federal Campaign gives us the opportunity to help our Mississippi Gulf Coast community by giving money to organizations that couldn't survive without our support. 

Established in 1961 by President John Kennedy via executive order, CFC is the single authorized solicitation of federal employees on behalf of a long list of charitable organizations. More than 22,000 national and international charities fall under CFC's umbrella, and locally, more than 160 charities benefit from our CFC contributions. 

Traditionally, Keesler members have been phenomenally generous to CFC. Last year, while Keesler's stated goal was $120,534.87, our actual CFC contributions topped out at $260,796.25, exceeding the goal by a full 216 percent. 

This year's CFC solicitation season runs through the end of this month. I hope that each of you find it in your heart to overachieve again, and benefit the many charitable organizations participating in this year's fund drive. 

Giving to CFC is one way of showing how much we appreciate our community, and allows us an opportunity to be good neighbors and give back to those who support us through thick and thin. Last year, Keesler members put their money where their mouths are, and by their generosity made an incredible difference in the lives of the less fortunate. 

The single most compelling reason to support this campaign is if we don't, the considerable financial burdens coast charities face go unmet, and the comfort and care they give to those who have nowhere else to turn won't be there. Whether by cash, check or payroll deduction, I encourage everyone to join me in making this year's CFC our best effort yet. Even if you can just give a little, it would mean so much.