CFC improves lives of thousands

  • Published
  • By Dana Rimington, Hilltop Times correspondent
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  The giving season is ensuing on base with the Combined Federal Campaign in hopes of reaching their donation goal of $500,000 by Dec. 15. “This is really a time of giving as we celebrate the holidays,” said CFC Chairman Cathy Barker, encouraging all Department of Defense employees to give what they can to the campaign.

They are still shy of their goal, but sitting at current donations of $430,000, co-chair Brandi Nealis is impressed with the amount of giving thus far. “I have been shocked and surprised at people’s willingness to give,” Nealis said. “People care deeply and this is an easy opportunity to show their support.”

For Barker, who served on active duty for 26 years, the CFC campaign has been a part of her life for a long time. During Barker’s time serving away from home, it was a relief knowing there was a charity helping her family members back home.

“I have a special needs nephew and I’ve seen so many fellow Airmen that really needed help in some way. I couldn’t be there for my nephew when I wore a uniform, but my way of helping was giving to a charity so that other people could help him,” Barker said. “I really care about people and I’m committed to try and make a difference because it’s been a part of who I am for so long.”

Before the CFC program, DOD employees were often presented with various charities needing assistance throughout the year. Now with the campaign in place, it is a streamlined process where employees can choose from the extensive list of 21,000 non-profit charities to submit their donations.

Donations sent directly to a charity helps others in a myriad of ways. Barker recalls an incident recently of an airman 1st class who took his family home for the holidays, but their car broke down. Operation Warmheart, an Air Force first sergeants’ program aimed at helping Airmen, was able to provide them with funding to take care of his car and get his family home. “It’s really astounding to see the incredible things these charities have done,” Barker said.

Seeing so many donations come from Hill AFB is inspiring for Bruce Jacobs, Executive Director for Intermountain CFC. “It is very reassuring to know that the federal employees are publicly serving on a daily basis, but are also caring individuals,” Jacobs said. “We can count on them year after year to give generously from the heart for causes they care about.”

Overall, Jacobs hopes the campaign helps people think differently about others. “We need to see each other as more and not less. I truly believe that we are more capable than we think, and by giving to the campaign this season, those who have donated are recognizing the more in others and perhaps helping them realize the positive difference they have made in the lives of thousands of people they will never meet,” Jacobs said.

For details on how to donate to the CFC campaign, visit http://www.intermountaincfc.org/.