by Vicky Falcón
NAVAIR Public Affairs

The shock of the attacks on September 11 has worn off . . . and now the war has begun. As our military forces go after the terrorists and our reserve units are called into active duty, many of us are left watching the action on television. Over and over again we ask ourselves, "Is there something I can do?"

In the wake of tragedy, numerous opportunities to provide relief to the victims and their families have become available. One such opportunity is the annual Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), which began last week here at NAVAIR Patuxent River.

This year's campaign uses the theme, "What a difference a day can make."

"That theme was picked back in June," said Peg Callahan, a command support specialist for the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division and campaign coordinator for the CFC. "But after September 11, it really took on a whole new meaning."

A booklet listing local charities, as well as a catalogue of national and international charities, is being distributed throughout the base. Among that catalogue are 48 aid organizations directly assisting disaster relief efforts. For a list of those organizations, go to - http://www.opm.gov/guidance/cfcorgs.htm.

All federal employees have the opportunity to contribute to national and local relief efforts through their participation in the CFC by designating a payroll deduction or making a cash/check contribution.

"We don't set goals for the campaign," said Lucinda Rothwell, a supervisory command operations analyst for the Naval Air Station and co-chair for the CFC. "But we obviously would like to raise more than what we did last year - and have more people participate."

During last year's campaign more than $430,000 was donated, and about 25% of the federal workforce contributed. Callahan says that's about average, adding nationwide participation in the campaign has "stagnated."

Callahan says she's not sure how the terrorist attacks will affect giving, but Catherine Smith, a NAVAIR program manager for AIR-7.0 and co-chair with Rothwell for this year's CFC is optimistic.

"I've seen a lot of interest this year," she said. "More people are wanting to be key workers in their office. I think this is going to be a good year because of patriotism."

Watch for campaign information, which is being distributed by at least 150 volunteers on site. The campaign runs through December 5.

For more information about the Combined Federal Campaign, contact:
Peg Callahan, 301-342-5224 or [email protected]
Lucinda Rothwell, 301-342-1034 or [email protected]
Catherine Smith, 301-757-6304 or [email protected]

NOTE: FOR HIGHER RESOLUTION PHOTO, PLEASE CALL 301-757-5116