TOP STORY >>Record-breaking funds raised for charity

Members of Little Rock Air Force Base shattered last year’s contributions to the Combined Federal Campaign by raising more than $246,600 for charities, announced base CFC officials Nov. 2.

The campaign wrapped up its 6-week drive raising money for thousands of local, national and international charities and organizations with the record-setting results. Every year, the CFC provides an opportunity for federal employees to give to any number of these charities.

Little Rock AFB falls under the offices of the CFC of Greater Arkansas, which collects donations across the entire state. In 2005, the CFC of Arkansas raised over $843,000; in 2006 they raised an all-time record of $863,000, according to CFC of Arkansas officials.

“Little Rock AFB has a long tradition of donating more than any other organization in Arkansas,” said Maj. Bradley M. Littleton, Little Rock Air Force Base Combined Federal Campaign coordinator, “contributing more than 29 percent of the total in 2005 and 27 percent in 2006.”

This year’s LRAFB campaign, which began on 24 Sep, was led by Major Littleton, 53rd Airlift Squadron, and Master Sgt. Eric Johnson, 314th Civil Engineer Squadron. Together, they led a team of more than 70 wing, group and unit key workers in this record-braking effort.

“Brigadier Gen. Rowayne Schatz, 314th Airlift Wing commander, set our goal at $220,000 – which we shattered by collecting 112 percent of that goal for a total of $246,612,” said Major Littleton. “(By doing so,) we beat last year’s collection by $10,825 despite having almost 6 percent fewer members on base.”

In addition, Little Rock AFB achieved the highest participation rate in the last ten years with 44 percent of all base personnel giving to the CFC.

“Although the participation goal was set at 50 percent, we eclipsed the Greater Arkansas’ participation rates of 35 percent in 2005 and 36 percent in 2006,” he said.

To top it all off Little Rock AFB’s 314th Airlift Wing topped the chart with 2,089 donations, more than any other wing in the command according to the most recent numbers, announced 19th AF officials.

“In total money collected, we were second only 12th Fighter Training Wing at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas,” said Major Littleton. “Though they collected more money than us, they had to extend their campaign to do it. Even so, according to the most recent numbers, they have still only reached 88 percent of their monetary goal, with only 30 percent participation.”
Major Littleton said he believes that without the help of several units, that achievement couldn’t have been accomplished.

“Several units on base deserve special recognition for putting up stellar numbers,” he said. “The monetary goal for each group and squadron was based on the number of people in each unit. The far and away best group was the wing staff agencies, headed by Capt. Everett Eavenson and Master Sgt. Jennifer Breton, who collected 259 percent of their goal.

That was followed closely by the 314th Operations Group, led by Master Sgt. Angelo Enciso, who raised 237 percent. The 314th OG had the best participation rate of 70 percent, just eking the wing staff agencies that had 69 percent. Several squadrons achieved an amazing 100-percent participation rate including: 314th Airlift Wing Chaplain’s Office, 314th Mission Support Group staff and Air Force Audit Agency, Detachment 15.”

But it was a combined effort that gave the base the final success. “Congratulations to all of you for making this the most successful CFC ever,” said Major Littleton. “Your contribution will change the lives of thousands, possibly millions, of men, women and children around the nation, and the world.”

Since its inception in 1961, the CFC has raised more than $5.71 billion in charitable donations.
(Courtesy of Little Rock Air Force Base Combined Federal Campaign)