Combined Federal Campaign deemed huge success Published Dec. 21, 2007 By Ms. Corey Dahl 21st Space Wing Public Affairs PETERSON AFB, Colo. -- Dozens of servicemembers and civilian employees filled the Club here Dec. 14, hooting, applauding and honking party-favor noisemakers. The cause for celebration? A successful finale to this year's Combined Federal Campaign. Together, Pikes Peak region military installations, post offices and other federal agencies raised $2,170,382 for the CFC, exceeding last year's collection of about $2,160,000. The region's total is likely to earn national awards for the region for a sixth time, Brig. Gen. Norman Andersson, Fort Carson' deputy commanding general, said at the ceremony. General Andersson was standing in for local CFC chairman Maj. Gen. Mark Graham. "Once again, we met the standard and we exceeded our expectations because all of you stepped up and met the challenge," General Andersson told the crowd of CFC organizers and contributors. "These are outstanding results." The 21st Space Wing and its tenant organizations helped achieve those results, contributing $231,531 toward the total and raising 105 percent of their goal. The wing's average contributions were the highest ever, rising from $210.64 to $240.18 per participant, and 21 units exceeded their fundraising goals. "We've got lots to celebrate," said Col. Liz Anderson, 21st SW individual mobilization augmentee to the commander. "Peterson and the 21st Space Wing contributed mightily to the CFC's success." Some individual units went above and beyond for the campaign. Out of 37 units, 18 received a gold award, which means they raised 125 percent of their benchmark goal - a number set using previous performance data plus 5 percent. Seven more units received silver awards, raising 100 percent of their benchmarks, and one unit received a bronze award by raising 75 percent of its benchmark. The 721st Security Forces Squadron at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station doubled its contributions from last year, despite 40 percent of the unit being deployed during the campaign. The 21st Logistics Readiness Squadron had the highest percentage of participants this year, with 85 percent of personnel donating, and the Space Logistics Group was the wing's largest contributor, raising $36,000. Individuals who made a difference in the campaign were also recognized at the event. Mrs. Faith Hannah of the 21st Mission Support Squadron and the Air Force Audit Agency's Mr. Bruce Amos were both named CFC heroes for their efforts to encourage their co-workers to donate. And Peterson's Local Federal Coordinating Committee representative, Mr. Tom O'Toole, received a regional CFC hero award for his participation. All the recognition simply reinforces the fact that the Peterson community is a generous bunch, Colonel Anderson said. "It just goes to show that our folks, like anyone else, dig deep and give with their hearts," she said. "We are truly proud of each and every one of our contributors." Other campaign highlights from around the region: - NORAD/Northcom raised $208,005, a 26 percent increase over 2004 even though the installation's number of employees has decreased by 22 percent since then. The large increase in donations earned NORAD/Northcom its first regional Installation Excellence Award. - The Air Force Academy collected contributions for only three weeks but raised $608,654. This is the seventh year in a row the Academy has set a new contributions record for itself. - Air Force Space Command raised $223,703 for the CFC. AFSPC had the highest participation rate in the region, at 50 percent, and averaged $349 per contribution, also the highest in the region. - Fort Carson raised $469,189 despite having many of its soldiers deployed during the campaign. More than 30 percent of the post contributed to the CFC this year. - Schriever raised $257,680 - 114 percent of its goal. Overall, 38 percent of the base participated, with 11 units counting 75 percent participation or more.