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Area federal employees give $3.17 million to charities

  • Published
  • By Gateway Combined Federal Campaign
  • CFC
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Federal employees in the greater St. Louis area contributed more than $3 million to a variety of local and national charities during the 2009-2010 Gateway Combined Federal Campaign.

This year's campaign slogan, "CFC = Caring For our Communities," gave motivation to hundreds of volunteers who gave their time to contact over 34,000 federal employees working in the gateway area.

Employees at Scott Air Force Base contributed $893,607, 6 percent over the amount raised last year. The results were coordinated by Vanguard Division Chair, Maj. Mark Chojnacki, 375th Air Mobility Wing. The Vanguard Division, comprised of all units at Scott, received the Division Excellence Award.

Additionally, two units and four individuals on base were honored with CFC Awards at the annual Excellence in Government ceremony.

Navy Lt. Brian Baxter, of U.S. Transportation Command, was awarded Top Campaign Representative on base. The units he worked with raised $136,098, a 20 percent increase over the year prior. And 40 percent of the employees at units he supported gave to the CFC.

Senior Master Sgt. Angela Graffen was a campaign coordinator for USTRANSCOM Acquisitions whose efforts led to her unit's goal being exceeded. There was $27,724 pledged from 76 donors, meaning the average gift was $364, which is 19 percent above the regional average. Participation increased to 51 percent, in large part due to Sergeant Graffen's efforts.

Two key workers on base were given CFC awards--Master Sgt. Michael Craig from U.S. Air Force Network Integration Center, and Naval Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason Wright from the USTRANSCOM Operations. Master Sgt. Craig produced a chili cook-off and a silent auction at AFNIC, which raised more than $1,200. Petty Officer Wright's office had 18 percent fewer employees in 2009 than 2008, yet increased the percentage of givers by 24 percent. Dollars pledged also increased by 28 percent.

USTRANSCOM, Program Analysis and Financial Management received a Leadership Excellence Award in the small unit category. Seventy-three percent of the unit's employees gave to the CFC, averaging $473 per donor. They also provided volunteer support to the CFC.

Air Mobility Command Installations and Mission Support directorate, or A7, received the Leadership Excellence Award in the medium unit category. This unit had a 62 percent participation rate, and increased their per capita giving by 18 percent over the year prior. Plus, A7's Capt. Kelley Poree served as the kickoff event coordinator for the large event on base.

Thirty percent of the area's federal employees gave to the campaign with individual donations averaging $306. More details about the campaign, including an annual report that includes top charity designation totals, volunteers and federal offices receiving awards can be found at www.GatewayCFC.org.