CFC kicks off with breakfast

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Brian Stives
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  Mountain Home's six-week Combined Federal Campaign officially began Oct. 27 at the Gunfighter Club with a kickoff breakfast for Gunfighter leadership and CFC representatives and ends Dec. 5.

With more than 150 people in attendance, the CFC kick-off breakfast began with an opening speech from Jennifer Jones, the Southwest Idaho CFC manager.

"You are a very important part of the CFC," said Mrs. Jones, before introducing representatives from more than 20 local non-profit organizations. "Everyone here at Mountain Home raised more than $125,000 last year for the people of southwest Idaho. Thank you."

The kickoff breakfast provides an opportunity for representatives to interact with and educate Air Force members on the work that their organizations do and is instrumental in the success of the CFC at Mountain Home AFB.

Col. James Browne, 366th Fighter Wing commander, ended the breakfast with closing comments about raising awareness of the CFC.

"The CFC is a big deal," said Colonel Browne. "In the past five years, Gunfighters have raised more than $600,000 - that is a big deal."

This year's CFC is significant because the goal is different than previous years. Emphasis for the 2008 CFC campaign is face-to-face education and information to every person within the wing.

"We've done a great job at raising money in the past, but I don't want to set a monetary goal this year," said Colonel Browne. "I want to raise awareness about the program. I challenge you, the CFC representatives, to get the word out to 100 percent of the Gunfighters about the great programs we can help. That is our measure of success."

"The CFC provides a unique opportunity for our federal employees to donate to a host of charitable organizations that are involved in a wide range of activities," said Capt. Wanda Stauffer, 366th Surgical Operations Squadron and 366th FW point of contact. "No matter what our background or interests, we can all find an organization that touches our heart."

As Colonel Browne stated in his closing remarks, "Generosity and caring runs deep in the Gunfighter community and we know that when given the opportunity, our members will contribute to a worthy cause."

Now in its fifth decade of operation, the campaign began in the early 1960's to coordinate the fundraising efforts of various charitable organizations so the federal donors would only be solicited once. Employees can be confident that all agencies on the CFC charity list are legitimate.

"CFC agencies have to apply annually, and are screened for ethical practices, fiscal soundness and managerial expertise," said Captain Stauffer. "Giving through the CFC is convenient because the CFC is authorized to use payroll deduction for federal donors. Employees can choose from more than 2,000 local, national and international charitable organizations for their donations. The confidence, convenience and choice offered by the CFC are the reasons federal employees have made the CFC the most successful and largest workplace philanthropic fundraiser in the world."

Mountain Home CFC group and wing representatives:
366th Fighter Wing - Primary: Capt Wanda Stauffer, 828-7170; Alternate: Master Sgt Jesse Gustafson, 828-2814

366th Mission Support Group - Primary: Capt. Mike Crosse, 828-2315; Alternate: Master Sgt. Degra Tierney, 828-2112

366th Operations Group - Primary: Staff Sgt. Pammi Orie, 828-6323; Alternate: Senior Airman Allen Cleveland, 828-2854

726th Air Control Squadron - Primary: Tech. Sgt Kevin Spainhoward, 828-1413

366th Medical Group - Primary: Airman 1st Class Kelly Williamson, 288-7300

366th Maintenance Group - Primary: 1st Lt. Kamran Khalidi, 828-4306

366th Fighter Wing Staff - Primary: Chap. (Capt.) Steven Barfield, 828-6417; Alternate: 1st Lt. Paul Gensic, 288-5000; 2nd Lt. Michelle Kolcun, 828-4800