Last call to get your CFC on

by Spc. Shane Eschenburg
U.S. Army Europe Public Affairs Office


***image1***With three weeks remaining in the Combined Federal Campaign-Overseas, CFC-O officials say U.S. Army Europe and the Installation Management Command-Europe have collected more than $1 million from more than 7,400 donors – a participation rate of 19 percent.

The campaign is headed for the goal of collecting $16 million in donations this year from the U.S. European, Central, Southern and Pacific commands, said Maj. Michael Stewart, USAREUR personnel operations manager and project manager for USAREUR’s participation in this year’s campaign. Last year, $15.5 million was raised in the overseas campaign, and more than $2.5 million came from USAREUR donors, the major said. Of that $2.5 million, $90,000 was returned to local communities through Family Support and Youth Programs donations.

Another goal this year for the CFC-O is to contact 100 percent of Soldiers and Department of Defense civilian employees and give them an opportunity to contribute, noted Stewart.

“We are still anxiously awaiting participation from many units,” he said. “We (CFC-O) are barely breaking a 45 percent contact rate and there’s still plenty of potential in our community.”

While the major said unit and organization CFC representatives have been directed to discuss the campaign with every potential donor, CFC-O is offering a new approach this year as well – online giving. CFC-O pledges can be made online by visiting the campaign Web site at www.cfcoverseas.org.

CFC contributors who wish to give to organizations on their installations can choose the FSYP (family support and youth programs) option, Stewart added.

The campaign ends Nov. 30. Eligible donors who have questions can contact their unit or organization CFC-O representative.