U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Kollin Ailworth, 18th Civil Engineering Squadron heating, ventilation and air conditioning technician, signs in as a participant for the 2012 Combined Federal Campaign kick-off 10K RuckMarch on Kadena Air Base, Sept. 19, 2012. The kick-off raised more than $400 and will be donated toward Team Kadena’s goal of $451,000 for various charities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Hailey R. Davis)
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Matt Molloy, 18th Wing commander, motivates Team Kadena members participating in the 2012 Combined Federal Campaign kick-off 10K RuckMarch on Kadena Air Base, Sept. 19, 2012. Members of Kadena embarked on a 6.4 mile march and helped raise more than $400 that will be donated toward Team Kadena’s goal of $451,000. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Hailey R. Davis)
Team Kadena members participate in the 2012 Combined Federal Campaign kick-off 10K RuckMarch on Kadena Air Base, Sept. 19, 2012. The kick-off event raised more than $400 and will be donated toward Team Kadena’s goal of $451,000. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Hailey R. Davis)
by Airman 1st Class Hailey R. Davis
18th Wing Public Affairs
9/20/2012 - KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Nearly 100 service members helped kick off the 51st Combined Federal Campaign with a 10k RuckMarch Sept. 19.
The event brought in more than $400 that will go toward Kadena's 2012 goal of $451,000. The money raised will then be donated to more than 2,500 charities supported by CFC.
"Everybody can have a chance to donate wherever they see fit," said Capt. Jennifer Palko, 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron installation deployment officer. "It's also a way for people to talk about things that are close to their heart."
"For me it's organ donation," said Palko. "My father was a recipient of a double lung transplant, so I donate my money to the research of organ donating."
Organizations supported through the CFC range from American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation.
"For some it might be leukemia like (Brig. Gen. Matt Molloy, 18th Wing commander) was talking about this morning," said Palko. "He lost a deputy commander to leukemia so in his honor he donates to (a leukemia foundation)."
There are also charities available that give directly back to Kadena.
The Family Support and Youth Programs organization raised more than $33,000 in 2011. The FSYP check, given to the wing commander at the end of the campaign, can be used for base-wide events like barbecues and youth sports programs that help boost morale and give back to the base population, Palko explained.
This year's campaign continues through Nov. 16.
For more information on all the different organizations to donate to, visit www.cfcoverseas.org. To donate, click on "e-Giving."
People can also donate through pledge cards, using either cash or checks, or contact their unit representative.
"One hundred percent opportunity to give is the ultimate goal of the CFC," Palko said. "So it's not about how much money we raise, or how much participation. It's the informed opportunity to give."
