CFC kicks off 2010 campaign

  • Published
  • By Minty Knighton
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The 2010 Combined Federal Campaign kicked off Sept. 30 at the Hurlburt Field Soundside.

About 150 military key-workers and coordinators from Eglin and Hurlburt mingled with local charitable organizations to experience first-hand how their efforts in the upcoming season will help people in need.

"You can do so much for others," said Capt. Ann Marie Puttbrese, this year's Eglin organizer. "This is about looking beyond your own personal self."

For some key workers volunteering is personal.

"My grandmother passed away with cancer," said Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Isaac, 1st Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron. "Since then, I've stayed involved."

It's Airman 1st Class Andrew Babula's first year as a key worker.

"It will take a lot of effort, making the calls, formulating the fundraisers, but I think it could be fun," he said.

The kickoff opened with words from Eglin and Hurlburt commanders who encouraged workers to forge forward with all they have for this campaign.

"This is the part where we get our teams fired up," said Col. William Porter, 96th Air Base Wing vice commander. "This is like the pep rally before the big game."

He and 1st Special Operations Wing commander, Col. Michael Plehn, focused on how CFC makes a difference in people's lives.

Keynote speakers, like Vickie Jenner and Robert Young, testified to that fact.

"Without a fresh start, I more than likely would've ended up living on the street," said Ms. Jenner.

With tears streaming down her face and her mentor by her side Ms. Jenner continued,
"Nobody asks to be homeless. I needed a hand up, not a hand out."

Mr. Young, another key speaker, had been an alcoholic for the majority of his life and had almost given up on life until receiving help from the Waterfront Mission. With a little more than two years to go, he will now graduate from college and serves as one of the directors for the mission.

With these life stories weighing on the audience's mind, Diane Thomas, CFC coordinator, made her plea.

"Remember this," she said. "This is the passion we need you find. Like Colonel Porter and Colonel Plehn  said, we can do this."

Key workers will be working weekly with base units soliciting support for CFC. Look for upcoming events in Eglin's and Hurlburt's official bulletins.