Since being established by Executive Order in 1961 as a means of consolidating the multiple appeals made to federal employees each year, the Combined Federal Campaign has been the charitable fund raising effort specifically directed to the federal community.

This year’s campaign, which ran from September to December, exceeded this year’s goal of $362,000 by one percent.

Active duty service members and federal employees of Team Whidbey and Island County raised over $365,582.70 for the 2004 CFC fund drive.

The annual fund-raiser, conducted each fall, is the only authorized federal government on-the-job charitable fund-raising campaign for federal employees, raising hundreds of millions of dollars for nearly 2,000 charitable organizations each year. Year after year, Island County and Team Whidbey have contributed greatly to this worthy cause.

The awards luncheon on Jan. 19 began with words of thanks from Cmdr. Eric Kaniut, Chief-of-Staff of Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 10.

“This year’s CFC motto was ‘Every One of Us,’” he said, “and everyone of you performed superbly.”

Most notably was that 30.6 percent of NAS Whidbey Island personnel contributed an average gift of $167.24.

Week after week during the campaign, four NAS Whidbey Island commands battled to take the lead in gift giving. In the end, Naval Hospital, spearheaded by Unit Coordinator Master at Arms Senior Chief (MACS) Ronie Herana, reached the top with contributions totaling $22,928.15.

Commands rounding out the top five total donated was: VP-1, $21,973; AIMD, $21,040.40; VQ-1, $20,392.40; and NOPF, $16,714.

The coveted CFC Leadership Award is presented to commands that have at least 65 percent of their personnel participating and get at least 75 percent of its contributions from donors electing the payroll deduction. This year, it was awarded to a record seven commands at NAS Whidbey Island.

The Leadership Award started in 1993 and has only been awarded to 45 commands to date. These commands received the Platinum Level: (percent of participation) - Environmental (100) and NAS Family Service Center (90). The Silver Level went to Oak Harbor Post Office (72.5), Tactical Support Center (68.2), Naval Security Group Activity (67.7), ROICC (66.7) and NAWCTSD (66.7).

Additionally, 15 commands received the Bronze Eagle Club Award, six commands received the Silver Eagle Club Award and seven commands received the Gold Eagle Club Award.

The Eagle Club Award is based on a percentage of unit potential and total amount raised, Bronze for 35 percent, Silver for 75 percent and Gold level for 75 percent or more unit potential.

“I want to express how proud I am to have served as your CFC Loaned Executive during this years campaign,” acknowledged AWC Joseph Grossi of CPRW-10. “I am highly impressed at your determination and steadfast drive on attaining 100 percent effort and 100 percent goal. It took every one of us.”

The success of the 2004 CFC rested on the enthusiasm and determination of NAS Whidbey Island’s 68 unit coordinators and their key workers.

Each and every unit coordinator ran a highly energized campaign and every air station and Island County employee worked extremely hard in making a positive change in our community.

Throughout the year, the CFC Executive Board, chaired by Cathy Norton, director of United Way of Island County, met to prepare prospective local charity requests and organize the whole CFC season.

As the luncheon came to a close, Norton said, “On behalf of over 1,400 charities and federations, thank you for your kind and thoughtful gift giving and reaching out to your extended community of Island County.”