Combined Federal Campaign-Overseas returns to 'Make a world of difference" Published Oct. 29, 2009 By Senior Airman Thomas Trower 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs RAF MILDENHALL, England -- The Combined Federal Campaign-Overseas is making its rounds on base here to help raise money for hundreds of national and international charities through Dec. 6. The campaign began Oct. 5 and is the only allowed solicitation of federal workers intheir job centers on behalf of an approved charitable organization. All U.S. federal employees, both military and civilian, are eligible to participate. "The funds raised through the CFC-O support many national and international participating charities, as well as your own overseas Family Support and Youth Programs," wrote Robert Gates, U.S. Secretary of Defense and Department of Defense CFC-O chairman, in a letter emphasizing the importance of the campaign. "Many of you gave generously to the 2008 campaign, raising more than $15.8 million for people in need." According to the CFC-O's 2009 official charity listing, federal employees overseas and stateside raised more than $275 million for charitable causes around the world in 2008. Donors may elect to have their money disbursed to a variety of charities or designate a specific charity to benefit from their gift. "Many people donate to charities who research cures for things that they have been personally affected by," said 1st Lt. Travis Fincham, 351st Air Refueling Squadron and 100th Air Refueling Wing CFC-O project officer. "It just makes people feel good to donate to something that will help make life better for so many people." As the wing project officer, the lieutenant coordinates with key people in all Team Mildenhall units to ensure that all base personnel have the opportunity to give to the campaign. The only goal established by the CFC-O is for 100 percent notification to all eligible donors. "Because the CFC donates to each charity in a single lump amount and consolidates each individual charity's drives into one single campaign, this keeps accounting costs low. This translates into more money going to where it is needed," said Lieutenant Fincham. "Bottom line is donating through the CFC is the most cost-effective way of donating to a charity." Contributors are encouraged to give during the two month awareness campaign but donations will continue to be accepted throughout the year. Donations can be sent online at www.cfcoverseas.org as a one-off payment or as a monthly allotment. Payments can be made by cash, check, payroll deduction or credit card. For more information, contact your unit representative. Team Mildenhall CFC-O coordinators are: 100th Air Refueling Wing - Capt. Jeffrey Davis 100th Comptroller Squadron - Airman 1st Class Amanda Sickler 100th Operations Group staff - Capt. Jeff Lascurain 100th Operations Support Squadron - Staff Sgt. Tricia Williamson 351st Air Refueling Squadron - Capt. Christine McLean 100th Maintenance Group - 1st Lt. Zach Harris 100th Maintenance Squadron - Tech. Sgt. Alf Thompson 100th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron - Tech. Sgt. Adam Wolf 100th Maintenance Operations Squadron - Tech. Sgt. John Pride 100th Mission Support Group - Master Sgt. Alan Chaney 100th Civil Engineer Squadron - Capt. Sean Warner 100th Communications Squadron - Tech. Sgt. Arlene Lee 100th Security Forces Squadron - Tech. Sgt. Alan Clontz 100th Force Support Squadron - Tech. Sgt. Bonnie Gribble 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron - Master Sgt. Patricia Vandergrift 352nd Special Operations Group staff - Capt. James Bauer 352nd Operations Support Squadron - Tech. Sgt. Clarissa Piedra 7th Special Operations Squadron - 1st Lt. Christopher Beets 67th Special Operations Squadron - Master Sgt. Richard Hoska 352nd Maintenance Squadron - Capt. Nicole Shandera 321st Special Tactics Squadron - Staff Sgt. Bradley Keszler Joint Special Operations Air Componenet - Master Sgt. Derek Kenney 727th Air Mobility Squadron - Staff Sgt. Chris Breski 95th Reconnaissance Squadron - Staff Sgt. Samuel McKee 488th Intelligence Squadron - Staff Sgt. Sergio Carpio 25th Intelligence Squadron, Detachment 2 - Tech. Sgt. Jaye Pooley 373rd Training Squadron, Detachment 19 - Tech. Sgt. Sarah Shuss Headquarters, U.S. Air Forces in Europe/A7 - Victoria Lundvall 3rd Air Force - Capt. Ian Walker Army and Air Force Exchange Service, RAF Mildenhall - Dan Mullen