COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Team BLAZE kicked of the 2019 Combined Federal Campaign with a breakfast and guest speakers from local charities and organizations.
The CFC is a federal workplace giving campaign that allows Department of Defense personnel the opportunity to donate to local, national and international charities of their choosing.
Maj. Kyle Sellner is this year’s 14th Flying Training Wing keyworker and told the audience the CFC has been around for 53 years and has raised $8.3 billion.
“This year, Team BLAZE’s campaign is from Sept. 16 until Oct. 11 and we have set our goal for $55,014,” Sellner said. “With your support we hope to exceed our goal and contribute to the campaign theme of ‘Show Some Love to Help Those in Need.’”
George Irby, chief executive officer of the Happy Irby Fund, spoke about the history of the Happy Irby Fund to those in attendance. His father, George “Happy” Irby, Sr. would save his tips he made working at the now Columbus Club and use it to buy necessities for less fortunate children for Christmas.
“That began a connection with the base,” Irby said. “It is such a joy to see a community working with the base to help out those in need.”
Another guest speaker was Renee Sanders, CEO of the Lowndes and Noxubee County United Way. The United Way’s mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities around the world to advance the common good. One of the topics she spoke about mentioned a tornado that damaged several homes and businesses in Columbus, Mississippi.
“On Feb. 23, our community was hit by an EF3 tornado,” Sanders said. “We are still in recovery mode, if you are wondering why you should get involved. This tornado damaged the houses in a way that insurance didn’t cover it, but we are trying to help.”
After Sanders, Sellner recognized the keyworkers who will be out spreading the word about the CFC and taking donation slips.
14th Flying Training Wing: Maj. Kyle Sellner, Tech Sgt. Quincy Harris
14th Operations Group: 1st Lt. Sean Brennan, Tech. Sgt. Jesahira Early
14th Mission Support Group: Tech. Sgt. Ashley Henderson
14th Medical Group: Tech. Sgt. Christopher Stone
14th Wing Staff Agencies: Senior Airman Matthew Belleville
View the following websites for detailed information regarding the CFC and its charities:
Facebook.com/msdeltacfc
Twitter.com/msdeltacfc
Instagram.com/msdeltacfc
For specific local questions please contact Sellner at 434-1671 or Tech. Sgt. Quincy Harris at 434-3425, and to make an online donation, visit: www.opm.gov/showsomelovecfc.