CFC announces results for 2010 campaign

  • Published
  • By Airman John D. Partlow
  • 374 Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  Each year, Yokota Air Base participates in the annual Combined Federal Campaign. At the end of the year, the squadrons who have contributed the most money are recognized in an awards ceremony.

This year's ceremony was originally slated for March; however, it was postponed until July 11 as a result of the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan March 11.

All totaled, Yokota raised more than $291,000.

"This year's successful campaign is yet another demonstration of Team Yokota's generosity, willingness to help others and commitment to the global community," said Col. Bill Knight, 374th Airlift Wing vice commander.

The CFC has evolved throughout the years, and first began as the Federal Personnel Council, composed of agency personnel directors.

According to www.opm.gov, the FPC existed to add uniformity to collecting charity donations and to stop unwanted pressure from solicitors in the workplace. Since the FPC had no enforcement authority, solicitations in the workplace continued to run their course.

Eventually, the CFC replaced the FPC as a group of charities all working together in a unified donation service.

The CFC gained popularity as charities joined the campaign, and in 1971 President Nixon announced that the CFC would be the only charity fundraising method within the federal services. Today, the CFC sponsors over 2,400 programs eligible for donations.

For 2010, the United States Forces Japan donated more than $2.9 million, 10 percent of which came from Yokota, at a rate of 29 percent base participation.

Several awards were given out at the ceremony to recognize excellent contributions to the CFC. The top award is the platinum award which signifies a unit has achieved an average contribution of $200 per potential contributor and/or 85 percent participation.

Twelve units received the platinum award for 2010, and several other organizations on base received plaques recognizing their contributions.

- 374th Operations Group
- 374th Contracting Squadron
- 374th Aerospace Medicine Squadron
- 374th Medical Group
- 459th Airlift Squadron
- Defense Finance and Accounting Services
- 373rd Training Squadron Detachment 15
- Defense Commissary Agency
- Yokota Middle School
- Defense Information System Agency
- 13th Air Force Detachment 1
- Pacific Regional Service Center Japan

Overall, Yokota's donations increased by almost 16 percent from the approximately $250,000 donated in 2009. 

"In these uncertain times, it is heartwarming to see that our base's spirit of giving is still alive and well," said Colonel Knight.

To learn more about the CFC or to donate, visit www.cfcgive.org.