CAMP H.M. SMITH, Hawaii -- U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific kicked off the 2009 Combined Federal Campaign event Sept. 14, at Bordelon Field here.
The Marine Corps was assigned the executive agent honor for the Combined Federal Campaign Hawaii Region Drive. As the executive agent, MarForPac fosters the promotion and awareness of the CFC, simultaneously impacting non-profit causes and Marines directly through MWR support.
The CFC is one of the largest and most successful professional fundraising models in the world. Through the donations service members and government employees pledge each year, roughly a quarter billion dollars is raised and distributed throughout the various non-profit charities and humanitarian aid groups.
Col. John Broadmeadow, deputy commander, MarForPac, kicked off the event by describing his pride in the Marine Corps executive agent position and stressed the importance of the philanthropist effort.
“I’m very proud to speak here today,” he said. “I can’t stress the importance of the [CFC] enough, because it really does make a difference.”
Various representatives from the present charities also took a moment to express their gratitude and acknowledge the immeasurable aid the CFC provides each year to charities worldwide.
Jennifer Plunkett from the American Cancer Society told attendees she couldn’t imagine continuing support for diagnosed, or affected, citizens without the CFC supporting the organization annually.
“It’s because of you we’re able to help people recover and provide them with assistance,” Plunkett said.
She also explained that they perpetuate efforts beyond recovering patients, extending their support to local initiatives like children’s day camp. Local support drive these programs, a direct reflection of Hawaii located participation.
After various representatives spoke, attendees browsed throughout the numerous charity information booths. Charities and humanitarian aid organizations were provided an opportunity to show federal employees first hand how significant their help is.
Some organizations offered their personal memories in addition to brochures, as their primary focus was based two days of commercial flying in Zambia, Africa.
Bordering poverty-ridden countries like Zimbabwe and Mozambique, Zambia is estimated to boast one in five adults diagnosed with AIDS. Don and Jane Hart, missionaries with Alliance For Children Everywhere, frequently leave their home of Hawaii to provide food and medicine to tribes far removed from western culture, they said.
“We’ve taken doctors, medication, and food in to desolate locations where westerners are sometimes unheard of,” Don, a 15-year veteran in missionary work, explained.
“For $20 a month they can be fed and educated,” Jane added. “A lot of children will approach us in the streets not looking for food – but looking for an education. Begging. Because they know it’s the only way out.”
The CFC kick-off offered attendees with a first hand look into where their sometimes seemingly distant contributions result in very near rewards.
“Normally you see these different charities in a pamphlet at work,” said Staff Sgt. Carmelita Clark, a security manager with Combat Logistics Battalion 3. “There was a lot of good information here that reminded me what charity really means.”