PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Airmen will have the opportunity through Jan. 15 to support their favorite charitable cause with this year’s Combined Federal Campaign.
The CFC, an annual workplace charity campaign that allows contributors to automatically give to groups from a broad range of charities, kicked off at the Peterson Air Force Base Bowling Center Oct. 19, 2018.
Via an online portal, Airmen can donate to a wide range of organizations – including faith-based charities, food banks and homeless shelters – with either a one-time or monthly deduction from their paycheck, said Michael James, Veterans Squaring Away Veterans executive vice president.
Each unit has one or more CFC project officers who can assist anyone interested in donating, he said.
“I know the process the CFC uses to screen their participants, so those who choose to contribute can rest assured that all CFC participants are worthy of their consideration,” James said.
New regulations from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management strictly prohibits the solicitation and collection of cash donations in connection with the CFC, said Master Sgt. R. Hope Artis, 561st Network Operations Squadron integration flight chief.
“This means that, for current and all future campaigns, cash fundraising events – such as bake sales, silent auctions, book sales, chili cook-offs and other similar events – are no longer permitted in connection with the CFC,” said Artis, one of four installation project officers for the CFC on Peterson.
“Instead, CFC special events must focus only on increasing employee awareness of CFC charities and their missions,” she said.
This marks the third year VSAV has participated in the CFC, James said. The Colorado Springs-based nonprofit uses a network of experienced veterans to assist fellow veterans and their families throughout their integration into local communities, he said.
“We participate in charity fairs throughout the Front Range, events where CFC participant organizations have the opportunity to interact one on one with potential contributors from active-duty military, federal civilian employees, and for the past two years, the opportunity to interact with and receive support from military and federal civilian retirees,” James said.