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Turning the thermometers red: Grand Forks AFB successfully wraps up 2012 CFC

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Luis Loza Gutierrez
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D --  The Warriors of the North wrapped up the 2012 Combined Federal Campaign Nov. 9.

The CFC started in 1961, when President John F. Kennedy signed Executive Order 10927, authorizing the U.S. Civil Service Commission to develop guidelines and regulate fundraising in the federal service. The CFC is the world's largest annual workplace charity campaign. Its mission is to promote and support philanthropy through a program that is employee-focused, cost-efficient and effective in providing all federal employees the opportunity to improve the quality of life for all.

"I congratulate all of Warriors of the North on another successful Combined Federal Campaign," said Col. Tim Bush, 319th Air Base Wing commander. "I had no doubt that we would exceed our goal and turn the thermometers bright red," added Bush while referring to the billboards with red-filled thermometers posted by the installation's south and east main exits that were used to publicly track the base's fundraising progress.

This year's campaign began with Bush signing his pledge during the CFC Kick-off Breakfast/Ceremony Sept. 28, 2012, at the Airey Dining Facility. The base had several individuals and groups help raise awareness and funds for the CFC through various informal and formal activities and events, such as the 2012 CFC Bowl-a-thon at the Dakota Lanes Bowling Alley which was sponsored by the Grand Forks AFB Top 3, the installation's professional military organization for enlisted service members in the top three pay grades of E-7 through E-9.

The generosity and quick response to the charitable event by the Warriors of the North was evident early on when the base reached more than 70 percent of its $55,000 goal halfway into the six-week long campaign.

This year's campaign reached a total contribution of $70,347 surpassing its original goal by 27.9%.

"We were the second fastest wing in AMC (Air Mobility Command) to reach our contribution and contact goals," said Capt. Nathan Schuler, Grand Forks AFB's CFC project officer. "We finished right behind the 437th Airlift Wing at Joint Base Charleston, S.C."

Schuler said that it really didn't matter if the 437th AW finished slightly ahead of the 319th ABW, "because in the end those that will benefit the most are the countless number of lives and charitable organizations that will be positively impacted because of this year's generous contributions to the Combined Federal Campaign."

"Whether someone's pledge helps pay for a prosthetic limb for a Wounded Warrior, a hot meal for a hungry family, or increases the funding to find a cure to devastating illnesses such as cancer, we know our contributions will make a positive difference," added Bush. "And you can rest assure that the Warriors of the North at Grand Forks Air Force Base will continue to support the CFC and turn those thermometers bright red."