Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif. -- The Combined Federal Campaign had its kick-off event Sept. 13 with a breakfast held at the Combat Center’s Officer’s Club.
The Combat Center Commanding General, Brig. Gen. George W. Smith, set the example at the breakfast as the first Combat Center Marine to participate in the CFC this year. T
he campaign is the only authorized solicitation of Federal employees in their workplaces on behalf of approved national, international and local charitable orginizations.
“It’s good because it gives everybody an opportunity to make a change and contribute,” said Master Gunnery Sgt. Lawanda Hall, Manpower, staff noncommissioned officer in charge.
The yearly event gives service members an option of more than 2,700 charities to choose from, ranging from helping the unfortunate to funding in medical research, and provides a variety of options for payment.
Participants can choose between a one-time lump sum payment, cash or check, or they can choose to sign up for a payroll deduction for a monthly amount to be taken out of their paycheck from January 2013 to the following December.
“I’ve heard a lot about, ‘We have the Ball coming up. We have Christmas coming up.’ Yes we do, but when we encourage Marines to use payroll deductions it won’t take affect till January,” Hall said. “They can give as little as $2 a month, whatever they desire.”
Those who donate also have a choice to have that organization send them information about the organization and how the donation is used.
Last year, the Combat Center was able to raise more than $200,000 for a variety of charities. This year, the bar has been set higher with a goal of $500,000.
“Our donations can help make a change,” Hall said. “If everyone gives a little it helps a lot.”
To donate, Combat Center service members and employees can talk to their section’s CFC representative. Representatives have been trained and familiarized with the CFC program and can help provide pledge cards, bochures and answer questions.
For more information visit http://www.cvand29palmscfc.org .