KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Donating to charity is one way Airmen can give back to society. There are many causes around the world that depend on charitable contributions.
Starting Sept. 8, 2014, through Nov. 7, 2014, military members serving in one of the five overseas combatant commands have the option to support the Combined Federal Campaign-Overseas and donate to organizations or charities of their choice.
The Wolf Pack's 2014 goals are to make 100 percent contact with base personnel and have 40 percent of those make a contribution, reaching $100,000 in donations.
"The books we have list over 2,600 charities," said Master Sgt. Jeremy Phillips, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron, Explosive Ordnance Disposal superintendent and the Wolf Pack's CFC-O project officer. "Many people enjoy donating to charity, but are not sure how to go about it. The CFC-O program allows easy access to thousands of organizations that cater to many different needs throughout the world."
If Airmen choose to donate online instead, they will have access to more than 17,000 charities, which could even include local charities in their hometowns, he added.
According to CFC-O project organizers, if Airmen do not want to give to a specific charity but want to donate to their installation's Family Support and Youth Program, they can do what is called an "undesignated" contribution.
By completing the pledge card without designating any specific charity, the contribution is returned to the installation of origin shortly before the start of the following year's campaign.
This year, Col. Ken "Wolf" Ekman, 8th Fighter Wing commander, accepted a check from last year's undesignated donated funds in the amount of $1,957.17 from Franciella Itule, Pacific Command CFC-O project officer.
"I am humbled to receive these contributions by our Airmen from the CFC-O," said Wolf. "I will be putting these funds to great use to enhance morale and quality of life on this base. For those Airmen choosing to donate this year, I encourage you to find a charity that has special meaning for you or one that has impacted someone you know."
The CFC-O is the only approved charity drive for federal employees. It was established as an executive order in 1961, and all contributions are voluntary. In 2013, the campaign raised $10.9 million in donations received from military and civilian personnel.
According to the CFC-O project organizers, the impact of $10.9 million can supply antibiotics for 4,360,000 ill children, allow 545,000 military members and their families to stay in touch during deployments, provide 313,218 survival kits to families following natural disasters, feed 389,289 animals living in animal shelters for a month and conduct 227,083 cataract surgeries to restore vision for people in underdeveloped countries.
Contributors can donate using the paper pledge card, payroll allotment or online at https://my.cfcoverseas.org. For more information, contact your unit's CFC-O representative.