CFC 2017 officially kicks off at Sheppard

  • Published
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs

The annual Combined Federal Campaign is set to get underway, but there are a few changes for this year’s drive.

The CFC, which normally runs from September to Dec. 1, was delayed at the federal level after some glitches with the online pledging system, the new way for people to make donations to local, national and international nonprofit organizations.

The Office of Personnel Management, which administers the CFC, partners with The Give Back Foundation to develop the new centralized donor pledge system. The online website, https://www.cfcgiving.opm.gov, will replace myPay and Employee Express as the formal way to make donations.

Donors can still make cash donations, but the forms are not available at Sheppard Air Force Base at this time. People who choose to use the pledge forms should have them postmarked by Jan. 12, the last day of the campaign.

Master Sgt. Erich Marquardt, the local administrator of the CFC at Sheppard, said they are working on a solution that would allow Airmen-in-Training to make pledges using the paper format used in previous years.

In an Aug. 3 memorandum, OPM Acting Director Kathleen McGettigan said the CFC has also expanded its donor base this year by allowing federal employees to pledge volunteer time with local charities in addition to pledging funds. They can also solicit donations by asking federal annuitants and retirees to continue to use the CFC for charitable giving after they leave federal service through recurring gifts from their annuities.

Brig. Gen. Ronald E. Jolly, 82nd Training Wing commander, said area communities support Sheppard in different ways, and the CFC is a way for the base to give back through charitable giving. The general said he has participated in the campaign in some way during his more than 26-year career.

“Every year, I’ve given in some way,” he said. “Previously, I have given both financially and providing some of my time to some of these great organizations that support us and our community.”

Click here for instructions to register on the CFC Giving website and how to make a pledge.