Run for a cause

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Viking Run participants run around a track as part of a 12-hour relay to raise money for the Combined Federal Campaign here, Nov. 6. Every year, each branch of the service raises money for more than 2300 charities through the CFC. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman First Class Lynsie Nichols)

Run for a cause

The Combined Federal Campaign - Overseas kicks off at Yokota

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Yokota Airmen run on the flightline here Oct. 1 during the weekly wing run. The Combined Federal Campaign - Overseas (CFC-O) kicks off here today. CFC-O, the annual giving drive for the Department of Defense, announced a $15.7 million campaign goal. During the campaign season, uniformed and civilian personnel can contribute to help people in need, across the nation and around the world. The Yokota CFC-O goal is $300.000. (U.S. Air Force photo/Osakabe Yasuo)

374th Airlift Wing exceeds CFC goal

Published Dec. 22, 2010
By Airman 1st Class Lynsie Nichols
374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- This year at Yokota, members of the 374th Airlift Wing stepped up to help raise more than $152,000 for the Combined Federal Campaign.

The CFC is the world's largest and most successful annual work-place charity campaign. It consists of hundreds of sub campaigns that raise millions of dollars in support of 2,300 charities worldwide.

The CFC promotes philanthropy through a voluntary program and provides Federal employees the opportunity to improve the quality of life for all.

More than $8,000 of the money raised from the 374th AW came from the Viking Run, started by Staff Sgt. Amanda Contreras, NCO in charge of the First Term Airman's Center.

"I ran in the Viking Run at my last base, and when I got here, I realized that they didn't have anything like it," said Sergeant Contreras. "I decided that it would be a really good idea to bring it to this base and get it started."

The Viking Run was so successful in raising money for the CFC, that the idea was sent to other bases as a way to raise money.

"The Viking Run was probably the most innovative thing I have seen," said Master Sgt. Matthew Vanhoose, 374th Maintenance Squadron's fabrication flight chief. "I would consider it a big success story for this year's campaign."

Sergeant Vanhoose remarked favorably on this year's contributions.

"I was impressed with the contributions in such a tight economy," said Sergeant Vanhoose. "People were still willing to give, and give generously."

People can continue to contribute to the CFC through Dec. 31, by speaking to their unit key person or logging onto the CFC website and donating electronically.