CFC kicks off 50 years of giving Published Oct. 4, 2011 By Lea Johnson 21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The 50th annual Combined Federal Campaign for the Pikes Peak Region and Team Pete kicks off Oct. 7 and has some big goals to meet. "We're trying to raise $315,000. That puts us at approximately a 30 percent participation rate," said Lt. Col. John Duda, 21st Space Wing Safety Office and CFC representative. The goal was established using a complicated formula that takes into account one hour of pay per pay period for every federal employee based on their wage scale. "Our potential to give was much higher than that, over $1 million. I have no doubt in my mind that because of the quality of people that we have here, we're going to blow that goal away," Duda said. Last year, Peterson AFB exceeded their $322,000 goal by $7,000. "Federal employees, because we get paid on a biweekly cycle, we're ideal candidates to sustain a lot of these charities," Duda said. To jump start the campaign and provide more information about the charities, the wing is hosting a five-kilometer fun run/walk and information fair at 7:30 a.m. Oct. 7 at the fitness center. No donations are being taken at that time. The 721st Mission Support Group is hosting a five-kilometer walk, triathlon, barbeque and information fair starting at 8 a.m. Oct. 7 at Mountain Man Park at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station. Key workers from each squadron will be available throughout the campaign to provide information and answer any questions. "They'll have forms, books; everything for you," Duda said. "Feel free to ask your key worker any question to give you the peace of mind that you're doing the right thing." The CFC book contains more than 3,000 regional, national and international charities federal employees can donate to. "The charities have to go through a screening process and keep their administrative costs below at least 25 percent of the overall monies that they garner," Duda said. The book provides information about each charity and how much of their income goes toward administrative costs. Duda said that people pick something they really care about, and it will more than likely be in the book. Charities range from health research to homeless relief to wildlife conservation to environmental preservation and many more. "If you're clever enough, you can probably find something in the hometown that you came from if you really want to donate back in your local area," he said. Donations can be made several different ways. "You can choose to do a monthly allotment, you can also choose to do a cash contribution right up front, you can write a check, you can go online and donate," Duda said. This year's campaign theme is "The Past, the Present, the Future." "With our 50-year past and today's austere economic environment, federal employees are well positioned to sustain a lot of these charities. And of course we'd like to see it go 50 years into the future at least," Duda said. "A way to look at it is, 50 years from now, what do I want people to think of us, because we were the stewards at that time." More information about the campaign is available on the Peterson SharePoint site.