CFC offers different opportunities to give back to the community

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kristina Overton
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Servicemembers and civilian employees throughout the Air Force Global Strike Command work force on Malmstrom can make a tax-deductible donation to an eligible non-profit organization of their choice during the Combined Federal Campaign Oct. 11 through Nov. 20. The campaign raises money for organizations that provide health and human service benefits.

"The CFC is one the easiest ways you can affect people's lives throughout the world and locally," said Master Sgt. Jason Halvari, 12th Missile Squadron facility manager non-commissioned officer in charge. "It's one of the largest contributing campaigns and raises money to help the hungry, homeless, children and different medical foundations. There's such a variety of organizations to choose from and so many people can be helped."

Each group will have a key point of contact that will provide information and collect donations via cash, check or payroll deduction.

"We want to establish 100 percent contact with members by week three, but donating is strictly voluntary," Sergeant Halvari said. "We provide them the pamphlet with all the different charities and collect the donations."

There is a large assortment of local, national and international organizations donors can pledge their gift to.

The POCs for each group are:

341st Mission Support Group - Tech Sgt. Darrell Ross (731-3586)

341st Missile Maintenance Group-Master Sgt. Bretton Blasdell (731-3309)

341st Operations Group-Tech Sgt. Ricardo Andrillon (731-4023)

341st Medical Group- Tech. Sgt. Judith Baird (731-3162)

341st Security Forces Group- 1st Lt. Stephen Zeglen (731-6930)

16th Munitions Squadron- Staff Sgt. Sean Abbott (731-6113)

819th RED HORSE Squadron- Master Sgt. Gerald Haight (731-4825)

341st Missile Wing- Tech. Sgt. Amanda Quiroz (731-3801)

Operating Location AK AFSCHQ- Staff Sgt. William McKowan (731-4825)

Along with the CFC, each year, volunteers from local agencies come together to participate in a day of giving back to the community. The "Day of Caring" assists elderly people in conducting yard work, painting, maintenance and other chores to lend an extra hand.

"What you take away from The Day of Caring is that you've helped someone in need," Sergeant Halvari said. "You don't even really have to do much, and it really makes a difference to them. Even if people choose not to donate in a financial way, they can donate their time and help out. It's a great cause and develops a really good relationship with the downtown community as well."

The "Day of Caring" will take place Oct. 22 beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Great Falls Main Post Office parking lot, 215 1st Ave. North. Volunteers are encouraged to bring tools such as gardening gloves, rakes, lawn mowers, shovels, home and yard maintenance tools and garbage bags if they have them available.

Volunteers can sign up by themselves or in groups of four to five people via the 10-day share drive under CFC Day of Caring.

For more information about the "Day of Caring," contact the Great Falls Area CFC at 727-3400, or contact Sergeant Halvari at 731-2676.