Kentucky Air Guard sets new record for charitable contributions

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Philip Speck
  • 123rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
KENTUCKY AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, LOUISVILLE, KY. --  Members of the Kentucky Air National Guard set a new record for charitable contributions last year, pledging or donating $47,950.84 to the Combined Federal Campaign, the government-sanctioned organization that collects funding for thousands of charities across the United States.

The Air Guard campaign kicked off Nov. 2 and ran through Dec. 30.

"I'm so very proud of the generosity displayed by our members during the 2011 Combined Federal Campaign," said Col. Greg Nelson, commander of the 123rd Airlift Wing, which is based at Louisville International Airport. "Many within our local community, state and nation suffer from illness and disease. Even more don't have the money to care for their families or themselves.

"Truly, our nation is living in tough economic times, and this is the time we need to do everything we can to help each other. I'm extremely pleased to see the men and women of the Kentucky Air Guard stepping up to do their part."

The Combined Federal Campaign is the only authorized charitable solicitation of federal employees in the workplace, said Donna Wooten, CFC director for the Louisville region.

Last year, the Louisville program collected more than $1.6 million from employees of federal agencies, benefitting over 2,700 approved charities ranging from the American Lung Association to the YMCA.

Maj. Dale Greer, CFC manager for the Air Guard campaign, thanked the numerous volunteers who ensured that every full-time member of the 123rd Airlift Wing was personally contacted and given the opportunity to participate in 2011.

Those volunteers included Capt. J.T. Hourigan from the 123rd Operations Group, Master Sgts. Lonie Gipson and John Wardrip from the 123rd Maintenance Group, Master Sgt. Annette Marshall-Robinson from the 123rd Mission Support Group, Tech. Sgt. Charles Wilding from the 123rd Contingency Response Group, and Staff Sgt. Sarah Rogers from the 123rd Medical Group.

"Without their dedication to the program, I'm confident our record level of giving wouldn't have been possible," Greer said.

"I'd also like to thank every member of the wing who dug deep last year to help those in need. That kind of concern for our neighbors is one of the many things that makes me proud to serve in the Kentucky Air Guard."