A chance to help out

Published Oct. 4, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Victor J. Caputo
22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- McConnell's 2012 Combined Federal Campaign is underway.

The campaign is an effort to help Airmen and civilian employees to find a charity to benefit. There will be more than 2,000 different non-profit organizations McConnell Airmen can donate to.

The campaign runs from Sept. 1 until Dec. 15, 2012; however, McConnell's solicitation period is from Sept. 17 to Nov. 16, 2012.

"The CFC is important because it is the official campaign to raise money for important charities that provide help across the world to individuals in need of support," said Capt. Jerome Kearns, 22nd Air Refueling Wing Judge's Advocate assistant staff judge advocate. "It is our opportunity to give back to the community, and those that are less fortunate, to receive benefits they desperately need. "

The goal for this year's campaign is not a monetary number, instead the campaign is aimed at providing 100 percent face-to-face contact with each McConnell Airman and civilian employee. Last year the campaign raised approximately $96,000 in donations with an 18 percent base participation rate.

"Our goal is to have all pledge cards turned in by Nov. 16, and turned over to the local CFC chapter by Dec. 1, 2012," said Capt. Megan Moriarity, 22nd Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels management flight commander.

While the benefits of the CFC are not always seen or felt, Senior Airmen Catherine Norcom, 384th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, was able to experience it first-hand.

While on a deployment in spring of 2011, Norcom became sick and required medical attention.. She was medical evacuated to Ramstein Airfield, Germany for her surgery. On her flight to the airfield, she was in the midst of several wounded soldiers.

"The temperature on the plane [to Germany] got down to 38 F," said Norcom. "This one group made hand-knit blankets for wounded soldiers to stay warm, and a lot of people on the flight really benefited from them."

Norcom made it to Ramstein and made a full recovery, and she also saw the constant stream of clothes, food and other supplies from charities that received donations through the CFC.

"I don't think a lot of people realize that two or three dollars a month really goes toward great things," said Norcom.

Anyone wishing to contribute should contact their group or squadron POC below to get a booklet of charities and a donation slip.

Mission Support Group: 2nd Lt. Kelly Wert (x2662)

22nd CS: Airman 1st Class Brent Fette (x2666)
22nd CONS: Tech. Sgt. David Jackson (x4213)
22nd LRS: Staff Sgt. Erendira White (x5501)
22nd FSS: Tech. Sgt. Tiffany Hill (x2673)
22nd SFS: Tech. Sgt. Terrance Williams (x4443)
22nd CES: 2nd Lt. Benjamin Shafer/MSgt Michael Price (x1170/5708)

Medical Group: Capt. Patrice Reviere (x1358)

22nd AMDS: Staff Sgt. Amanda Gidaly/Staff Sgt. Crystal Almy (x5181/2462)
22nd MDSS: 2nd Lt. Aden Acklin/Master Sgt. Duane Rose (x6121/5148)
22nd MDOS: Tech. Sgt. Rebecca Baucum/Airman 1st Class Naomi Juan (x5102)

Maintenance Group: 1st Lt. George Noah (x2977)

22nd AMXS: Tech. Sgt. Ian Mahoney/Tech. Sgt. Walter Mackenzie (x4079/4717)
22nd MXS: Master Sgt. Jason Cooley/2nd Lt. David Struble (x2475/6872)
22nd MOS: Staff Sgt. Timothy McAllister (x1857)
22nd MXG: Tech. Sgt. Craig Hanrahan (x5427)

Operations Group: Capt. Seth Ehrlich (x4304)

22nd OSS: Tech. Sgt. Michael Assman (x5398)
344th ARS: Capt. Samanta Fossett (x5850)
349th ARS: Staff Sgt. Mark Waski, (x6686)
350th ARS: Capt. Jason Garrish (x6646)
384th ARS: 1st Lt. Brett McAuliff (x8111)

Director of Staff: Capt. Jerome Kearns (x3599)

DS: Senior Airman Christopher Blackwell (x3108)
CPTS: Senior Airman Travis Black (x4618)
CP: Senior Airman Bryan Knehr (x3521)
XP: Master Sgt. James Carter (x6720)
HC: Tech. Sgt. James Smith (x3566)