CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
I hope everyone has had the opportunity to give to the Combined Federal Campaign currently underway.
Your organization representatives have been working hard to make contact with all personnel and to make sure you have been given information on the charities and organizations you can donate to.
The theme for this year's campaign, "What's Your Story," is very appropriate. I'm sure everyone in the military can relate to this theme. We've either been the recipient of much-needed help from one of these charities, such as the Red Cross or Air Force Aid, or have known a family member or someone close to us who has received assistance.
We are very fortunate in the Air Force to have such a vast network of caring organizations to help us out during difficult times, but where does the support for these much needed organizations come from?
Most operate almost solely from money and manpower donated from people like you.
According to the Air Force Aid Society's 2008 Annual Report, pledges to the Air Force Assistance Fund totaled $7.3 million with $4.9 million targeted directly to Air Force Aid. According to that same report, they paid out $24.3 million in total direct assistance.
Our Air Force members do a great job of answering the call for donations to charities and organizations. We donate many hours of personal time to help out great organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Special Olympics. I have seen 25 military members, ready to work and get the job done, answer a request for 10 volunteers for a
Habitat for Humanity project to benefit a local family. I know military members who take the CFC personally and have given large donations to organizations which have been there for them when they needed it.
With the economy suffering and money cut from the operating budgets of many government agencies and charitable organizations, donations and hours spent by volunteers are more important than ever. So, don't think a small donation will not make a difference. Even small monetary donations can add up to a great amount, and a little time invested to a cause you believe in can make a huge difference in someone's life.
On behalf of the Charleston AFB First Sergeant's Council, I would like to say thank you to the family and friends of retired Col. Gerald Weir. Colonel Weir died July 26 at age 87 after an extended illness. He left instructions that he did not want a funeral, flowers or memorial service. Instead, Colonel Weir's wishes were that in lieu of flowers, make donations to the First Sergeants Association to help take care of the Charleston Airmen.
After 31 years of military service, some spent as a squadron commander at Charleston AFB, taking care of our Airmen was still very important to Colonel Weir. We received almost $1,000, which will directly help Charleston Airmen.
When your unit CFC representative contacts you, I hope you think about the theme, "What's your Story," and decide to help out with a contribution so that someone else can have a successful story.