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Annual 171st CFC Campaign Season is here!

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt Christopher Preffer
  • 171st Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
Pittsburgh --  Every fall, the 171st has the opportunity to make a difference by contributing to their local Combined Federal Campaign, and try some really great chili.

Last year, our members contribute more than $19,000 to the CFC from more than 36 donors. We hope to continue the success with this year's campaign.

"Our goal this year is to raise more than $20,000 and have more than 45 donors", said Lt. Col. Mike Koma, CFC campaign ambassador for the 171st Operations Group.

The CFC donation season begins October 1 and concludes December 15. Donations through CFC can be designated to charitable agencies that provide meals for hungry children, relief for families in need of counseling, further work on cures for diseases, comfort for the dying, access to water in the Third World, environmental protection, and better lives and renewed hope for millions of people in our global community. CFC offers federal employees a way to easily and conveniently make a contribution to the good of society as a whole based on their own values.

To kickoff the CFC campaign, the 171st hosts a chili cook-off open to all unit members. Seven of the best cooks on base took part in the cook-off this year.

Great chilies such as Shot Gun Chili, Conneaut Lake Camp Chili, and Chili Chili Bang Bang were created for the day's contest. At the conclusion, Staff Sgt Lindsey Duncan's 'Fire in the Hole!' chili took first place.

"I was shocked when they announced me as the winner", said Staff Sgt Lindsey Duncan. "I had a very tough night prior to the cook-off and just threw a bunch of stuff together."

The chili cook-off was a great way to begin another year with the CFC. As a reminder, no contribution is too small and no act too trivial to make an impact in someone's life.

I encourage you to participate generously in the CFC this year and to donate using payroll deduction. By spreading your gift out over a small donation per month or pay period, we can build to a larger total sum.