Goodfellow kicks off CFC

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Devin Boyer
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The Combined Federal Campaign kicked off on Goodfellow with a tailgate party at the parade field Sept. 9.

According to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s website, the CFC is the world’s largest annual workplace charity campaign with almost 200 campaigns throughout the country and overseas raising millions of dollars each year. Federal civilian, postal and military members support and donate to eligible non-profit organizations that provide health and human service benefits between Sept. 1 and Dec. 15.

During the tailgate party, hundreds of service members visited 10 different local non-profit organizations as part of the CFC. They also participated in festivities such as bean bag toss, football and an opportunity to dunk their commanders into a tank of water.

“I think [the CFC kickoff] is a wonderful opportunity for people to have fun and also see what our campaign is about,” said Valerie Tillery, Institute of Cognitive Development-Family Shelter representative. “We’ve had quite a few people interested in volunteering, which is good because we need some volunteers to work with our children.”

Each year Air Force bases all over the world set goals to raise money for the CFC.

“Last year we made a little under $100,000,” said Master Sgt. Blake Ferguson, 17th Force Support Squadron airman leadership school commandant. “This year’s goal is $117,000 for the 17th Training Wing.”

Ferguson said he was confident that the wing would reach their goal this year thanks to the success of the kickoff tailgate party.

Goodfellow’s CFC leaders plan to hold more events like the tailgate party to promote the campaign so that the wing can reach their goal.

“The CFC is not just money into an envelope, it is helping folks that receive help from very important charities,” said Ferguson. “One person in the FSS is from another country, a poor part of that country, and through one of these organizations she was able to receive books for free then eventually became literate and joined the United States Air Force.”