Donations raise nearly $120K for KMC family programs


***image1***Airmen and Soldiers dug deep into their pockets and gave generously to
the 2005 Combined Federal Campaign program, which allows overseas
personnel to support Family Support and Youth Programs right at their
own installations.

The annual CFC program, which ran from October to December, allows
employees to give to more than 1,700 approved nonprofit organizations
around the world. This year, Ramstein employees donated more than
$880,000, with a portion of that earmarked for local programs.

This month, Col. Kurt Lohide, 435th Air Base Wing commander, received a
check for nearly $20,000 from Renee Acosta, worldwide CFC campaign
manager, symbolizing the amount of money donated by Ramstein personnel
which they specifically designated to Family Support and Youth
Programs.

Also this month, Brig. Gen. Rusty Frutiger, U.S. Army Europe deputy
chief of staff for personnel, and Peter F. Sun, IMA-EURO chief of
staff, received a $98,895 check, symbolizing the donations designated
for Family Support and Youth Programs.

***image2***Federal employees have a long history of contributing to local and
national charities, going back to the 1940s. In 1971, all federal
workplace campaigns were combined to make one annual giving program.
Today, the CFC is the world’s most successful workplace giving
campaign, according to the federal Human Resources Agency.

“I am very proud of the men and women of Ramstein, who through payroll
deductions to the CFC, continue to support Family Support and Youth
Programs right here at Ramstein,” Colonel Lohide said.

Overseas personnel have the unique opportunity to support their local
programs, said Constance Baker, director of CFC-Overseas, Europe.
Members of the European Command donated a total of $261,695 to
Family Support and Youth Programs.

“CFC-O contributors are very generous and attuned in their contributions,” Ms. Baker said.

–Arthur McQueen, USAREUR Public Affairs, and Monica Mendoza, Kaiserslautern American.