Sheppard kicks off CFC

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Adawn Kelsey
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AFB, Tx --  The Combined Federal Campaign's mission is to promote and support philanthropy that is employee-focused, cost-efficient and effective in providing all federal employees the opportunity to improve the quality of life for others. 

Sheppard began its CFC with drive a kick-off breakfast Sept. 2nd at the Sheppard club. This year's theme is "I Can... now more than ever." 

"The campaign is actually made up of about 300 independent regional campaigns which administer the campaign and disperse the donations to the charities selected by the donor," said Lt. Col. Michael Braucher commander of the 365th Training Squadron and Sheppard's CFC chairman. 

The colonel said the CFC is an annual federally-sanctioned fund raising campaign for charities approved by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management after validating their status as an official charity. 

Tech. Sgt. John Van Pelt the instructor supervisor at the 361st TRS said, any federal employee civilian military, may donate. 

"There are approximately 10,000 charities worldwide on the CFC's website. The CFC includes a variety of charities such as career development courses and sports program charities on base to local, national and even international charities," he said. 

Colonel Braucher said donating keeps charities viable to work issues and support people who are working to make a better base, city, country or world. 

Sergeant Van Pelt said Sheppard's goal this year is $265,000 and the base is hoping to exceed that amount as Sheppard has in years before. He said he has no doubt the base will reach its goal because Sheppard always gets the mission done. 

"Being part of a large group like Team Sheppard pushes me a little more to help reach our goal. I like being part of a team that consistently exceeds expectations and has a great mission," Sergeant Van Pelt said. 

The advice Colonel Braucher gave was that it is a personal decision to donate. He said there are no repercussions for not donating, those that give just tend to think about more than themselves and feel satisfaction and empowerment by influencing issues or helping people they care about.