Eglin CFC team earns award for innovative campaign

  • Published
  • By Samuel King Jr.

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – Team Eglin’s innovative fundraising ideas during the 2023 Combined Federal Campaign earned the team an award recently.

The Eglin team won the Southeast Tristate CFC Innovation award for their efforts in raising more than $87,000 during the campaign.

“This recognition is a testament to their commitment to excellence and serves as inspiration to all of us,” said Antonia Gonzalez, CFC southern area director. “This award is dedicated to those who go above and beyond the call of duty in support of the CFC.”

The goal of the Eglin campaign was to reintroduce in-person events to boost CFC participation since COVID-19 hindered those opportunities the last few years.

The team put together a 5K Run with the 96th Test Wing commander in attendance, a charity fair, and a food drive among others.

They also created the first-ever CFC uniform patch as an incentive for anyone who pledged to donate.

“We thought it would be a nice incentive and keepsake, helping to tie CFC with the Air Force,” said 1st Lt. Kendra Watkins, Eglin’s 2023 CFC coordinator.

The team worked with their CFC area representative to craft it and get it approved by the Personnel Management Office.  Then a local vendor produced the patch for them.

 “The response from donors who received the patch was overwhelmingly positive. Most recipients appreciated the token as a tangible reminder of their contributions,” said Watkins.

Watkins and her team said they were excited and honored to receive the award and to have their hard work recognized.

“The opportunity to collaborate with our fellow military and civilian teammates across the installation was a motivating factor for us,” said Watkins. “Being part of the CFC has been immensely rewarding, allowing us to hone our leadership abilities while fostering a spirit of giving throughout Eglin AFB.”