Take time, care for those in need

  • Published
  • By Brig. Gen. Robert P. Steel
  • 48th Fighter Wing commander
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Often I hear people talk about the Combined Federal Campaign as a chore. I ask you to look at it as an opportunity. Many people both inside and outside of our Air Force community can, at times, use a helping hand. CFC extends that hand, providing support and funding for so many programs and communities from which you and I, as Airmen, family members and Department of Defense civilians, benefit.

As an Air Force community, we are a part of a diverse mosaic--evident in our various backgrounds, cultures and life experiences. Many Airmen with specialized skills, abilities and needs are found throughout our ranks. We train and develop those skills and abilities to meet demands anytime and anywhere--and we assist when those needs require help.

Sharing your skills, talent, time, and even your money is part of our diverse Air Force experience. Some choose to volunteer with base-wide projects or efforts; others share their talents through church, sports or coaching; while some choose to raise money for special interests--such as the CFC.

Time and again I've heard from Airmen the satisfaction they've experienced from helping out someone in need. Often, it's one of their most gratifying and fulfilling endeavors. In addition to volunteering time for those in need, this month we're able to take it one step further--volunteering our support through the CFC.

Be it your money or your time, CFC is an essential thread to strengthening our Air Force family and our community bonds. In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Anan called for 2001 to be known as "The International Year of Volunteers." In many respects this helped to highlight and put increased focus on volunteerism. The concept was built around the goals of recognition, facilitation, networking and promotion.

These same goals are what the CFC helps support, and what we should continue to strive for in our efforts to reach out and assist our community members, both on base and off.

Volunteering comes into play, even in the workplace. We're allowed to encourage donations to the CFC and volunteer to assist in the campaign annually. In addition to the CFC, serving as a mentor is an important form of on-the-job volunteering. For example, providing opportunities for your troops to pursue their education, lending an ear in times of need and praising them when they succeed produces positive results. Even more, advocating the importance of charity contribution, such as supporting the CFC, is part of being a good mentor.

Volunteering - especially through contributing and mentoring -- helps reinforce our core values and fosters an environment of encouragement, community spirit and ambassadorship, which is particularly important for us as U.S. forces serving overseas.

As you reflect on the myriad of organizations the CFC offers for contribution, realize your service to the Air Force is much more than the day-in, day-out duties you perform. We are ambassadors, and the more each of us reaches out and helps our local communities, particularly through CFC contributions and volunteering, the more we can help people in need. Take that next opportunity to reach out and help--you just might help yourself in the process.