CFC-O campaign ends at Incirlik, participation jumps

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Chase Hedrick
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Members of Team Incirlik wrapped up the 2013 Incirlik AB Combined Federal Campaign-Overseas Dec. 20 with 475 donations totaling more than $109, 500 and met all the wing's goals.

Participation in the campaign jumped more than seven percent compared to the 2012 campaign's 26 percent participation rate, said Capt. Jason Schoener, one of the two 39th Air Base Wing CFC-O community area project officers.

Master Sgt. Gloria Wilson, 39th ABW CFC-O CAPO, said she felt the combination of a strong first event, the sharing of personal CFC-O stories, and having various "reminder" events throughout the campaign were integral to its success.

"Our glow run won the EUCOM 'best kick-off award,' and we had a personal story from the base shown globally," said Wilson. "It's those types of things that are memorable and can lead to people realizing how important campaigns like this are."

One of the mid-campaign events that let people know about the CFC ended up not only helping the campaign, but also brought some warm, holiday cheer.

"I think after we did the fundraiser for the pumpkin spiced lattés we started to get a lot more donations in," said Schoener. "Not because of it directly, but indirectly because of the fact people were more aware of the CFC-O campaign going on. Plus, people said they were delicious."

Schoener credited more than the caffeine for boosting the program's participation. Support from commanders, units and all of the people who stepped up as unit coordinators and key workers made all the difference, he said.

"We were thrilled to have a lot of good workers from our unit representatives from every single squadron," he said. "Even the 425th Air Base Squadron out at Izmir did a great job. It was a total team effort."

Similar to the combined efforts of unit representatives, it took the entire 39th ABW to exceed the campaign's goals, which were to raise $100,000 with 30 percent participation and 100 percent contact. Schoener said that without individuals giving even donations as small as $5, the goal would not have been reached.

With small or large donations, every contributor made a difference for those who look for help from the thousands of nonprofits who receive funding through the CFC.

"Every year I try to give to the CFC. I feel very fortunate to have what I do, and part of being in the military is to do for others," said Staff Sgt. Timothy Wiseman, 39th Logistics Readiness Squadron NCO in charge, fuels hydrants. "CFC is just one of the avenues we have to give back to our communities and the world in general."

For Airmen who didn't participate in this year's campaign, or would like to give more, donations to CFC-O can be made year-round here.