MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- With time winding down for the Combined Federal Campaign promotion at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, service members may want to start turning in their donation forms.
By donating to CFC, Iwakuni's service members can support any number of the 1,500 charities in the program at any amount they please.
The United States military is a longtime supporter of CFC, and service members on overseas tours contribute a large amount of funding to various charities.
"Last year U.S. military members and federal employees pulled together and generously raised over $11.1 million overseas," said Renee Acosta, CFC overseas campaign president in a September 2002 press release. "This year we know the tradition of giving will continue."
The tradition of giving has continued at the Station where commands have already begun informing service members about CFC and many have already started donating.
For Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, a CFC brief was given during a field day formation when the majority of the squadron was present and attentive, said Gunnery Sgt. John Idland, H&HS squadron gunnery sergeant. "During that one formation we were able to contact over half of the squadron and raise over $1,900 in about one hour."
Although CFC is designed with the charities in mind, they are not the only ones who benefit from the donations, according to Lance Cpl. Luz C. Morales, H&HS pay and maintenance clerk. "When I was young I was always in a position of needing. I am finally in a position where I can give in return, and it makes me very happy to help someone and make a difference," he added.
This year donators may also choose to donate to their local Family Support and Youth Programs to make a difference they can see on a daily basis.
Last year the Station donated over $7,000 to FSYP charity, all of which came right back to the Station. The CFC overseas campaign started Oct. 1 and will run through Nov. 15. For more information donators should contact their unit's CFC representative or visit www.cfcoverseas.org.