Ellsworth CFC meets, surpasses goal

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Joshua Stevens
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Three weeks of fundraising amassed substantial dollars for the charities of the Combined Federal Campaign here, Sept. 15 to Oct. 8; the goal of the Ellsworth campaign was $105,000, which was subsequently matched and significantly beaten.

"We surpassed our goal by more than $20,000, with a grand total of $125,149 raised," said 1st Lt. James McCarty, 28th Bomb Wing CFC project officer. "This was accomplished through 100 percent face-to-face contact with all base personnel through 25 key workers who gathered donations."

While all base organizations were integral to the surpassed goal, two stood out as exemplary.

"The 28th Mission Support Group donated the most money, at roughly $39,000, but broken down by manpower [i.e. per capita], the 28 BW Staff raised the most, at $11,700 - 225 percent of their goal," Lieutenant McCarty said.

This year's campaign had focus on local charity funds such as the Ellsworth Youth Center, Operation Warmheart and the Airman and Family Readiness Center; however, Lieutenant McCarty said the totals raised for these organizations will not be known until later this year.

Across the base, almost 650 Airmen and personnel contributed donations to the campaign. Lieutenant McCarty and base leadership noted the importance their monetary gestures signify to those individuals and organizations in need.

I am very proud of the accomplishments of our Airmen, despite the nation's economic state, a factor which almost certainly played a key role in the decision to donate this year, Lieutenant McCarty said. If definitely lends to the quality of our Airmen here at Ellsworth that they can recognize a need outside of themselves and give so abundantly.

"'Service before self' is one the hallmarks our incredible Airmen live by every day - and their generosity to CFC is no exception," said Col. Scott Vander Hamm, 28 BW commander. "This year's CFC campaign followed the theme of 'Be a Star in Someone's Life,' and the fact Ellsworth managed to meet its goal with surplus of more than $20,000 proves our Airmen are shining stars to many lives. I, as well as the entire wing, applaud them for their selfless giving."