Hurlburt Field rallies for donations at middle of CFC

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Joe McFadden
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
10/15/2009 --  Since the Combined Federal Campaign began three weeks ago, the Hurlburt Field community has met more than 70 percent of its projected goal. 

The results were announced at the 2009 Team Hurlburt Mid-Campaign Rally in the mini-mall here Oct. 15. 

Diane Thomas, vice president of the CFC for Okaloosa and Walton Counties United Way, said the campaign was well on the way to achieving its projected money and participation goals before its conclusion Oct. 30. She emphasized that, however the campaign was not over yet. 

"We're doing great, but we still have two more weeks to go," she said.
Col. Ben McMullen, acting vice commander of the 1st Special Operations Wing, addressed the crowd of nearly 50 Airmen and civilians about the importance of community involvement. 

"When we talk to first-term Airmen, they ask how they can become successful noncommissioned officers or potential commissioned officers. We always say it's about being a well-rounded and contributing member of the local community. Across the board, the things you do here in this campaign mean something to everyone," he said. 

Capt. Charri Leonard, 1st Special Operations Wing Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, emceed the rally and told the crowd about how the contributions from the CFC had made a difference in her own life. 

In 1996, as a staff sergeant, Captain Leonard was a newly-divorced single mother of two children. She said her life was challenging, but her first sergeant knew she was working hard to get by each month. He contacted the Eglin Operations Care Program, a CFC charity that presented her with a commissary voucher for $100 to buy dinner for her family that Thanksgiving. 

"I was very thankful that year at a time when I thought I wouldn't have much to be thankful for," Captain Leonard said. "I wouldn't be where I am now if it hadn't been for caring people, like my first sergeant, and people like you, who reached deep, reached out, and gave hope to a young single mother in time of need." 

After giving the results of each participating section of Hurlburt Field, Captain Leonard announced the outstanding key workers who promoted participation during the first three weeks of the campaign. 

The winners were Tech. Sgt. Erin Price, 18th Flight Test Squadron, Kevin Wilson, Air Force Special Operations Command/A6 and Tech. Sgt. Douglas MacFarlane, 1st Special Operations Equipment Maintenance Squadron. 

Awards will be given for the highest participation rate for a large and small unit at the end of the campaign. 

The campaign will also sponsor a volunteer golf tournament at the Gator Lakes golf course at Hurlburt Field Oct 30. 

For more information, call 850-243-0315 or visit the campaign web site at www.cfchq.org