CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
The Combined Federal Campaign has begun.
This annual event is designed to raise money for worthy charities and organizations that reach out and provide much needed help to local communities and people in need. The timing of this is, perhaps, the most critical of any previous CFC. Our nation's economy is possibly the weakest any of us have seen it and the corresponding need for charitable donations is larger than ever.
How would you measure the importance of the CFC? Look at it from this perspective - your generosity may very well permanently change the lives of some. In the military, we have been fairly isolated from the effects of this recession and the possibility of losing our job. There are many others that have not been as fortunate. These may be your neighbors, friends, family, or just someone whose story you have heard. These organizations cut across all barriers and span the entire community spectrum. Whether you choose to contribute or not, whether you have the means to give or not, recognize there are countless individuals who are willing to help. Many of these individuals working for recipient organizations have adopted one of our core values in the Air Force: "service before self."
Many of you may ask, why do we support the CFC?
In brief, the CFC is one of the ways we can support ourselves. I want to encourage everyone to take a few moments just to look at the sheer number of organizations that are listed on the CFC roster. Think of this the next time you see an advertisement for the CFC - at some point in your life, you will be affected by one of those organizations whether it be the Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, the USO, or the myriad of others. Additionally, your neighbors, friends and family will likely benefit from your generosity as your contributions are used. The smallest increase in donations has the potential to generate exponential improvements in the ability of these organizations to help your fellow man.
Our most valuable resource is you. The most valuable component of that resource is your personal time. We all struggle to balance our time. We all have many obligations in our lives. Those obligations can be to our family, our co-workers, our friends, our mission, or to other higher callings. Many of you are active in your local communities. Many of you have taken on the mantle of service to others and I applaud your efforts. This is where the CFC can help. These organizations represent another venue for you to be active in the local community and beyond. They are an extension of your generosity and the manifestation of your desire to place service before self. Consider a donation and consider the impact it may have.
Thank you for the amazing work you have done and continue to do and thank you for your time.