CFC: So much more than a pledge card

  • Published
  • By Maj. Michael Whalen
  • 436th Airlift Wing Contracting Squadron
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  How many times have we seen it? Americans banding together in the aftermath of a disaster: Hurricane Katrina, 9/11, the coal mine accident in West Virginia and earthquakes are but a few that come to mind.

If you haven't fallen victim to a major disaster, consider yourself lucky. Disaster struck my life back in 1997 while stationed at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D.

April 18 was the day - I remember it like it was yesterday. I still get goose bumps thinking about the sound of the city alarms shrieking in the pre-dawn darkness. We all knew what the sound meant and we all knew what to do - head west out of the city and towards the base 10 miles away. Our cars were already packed.

Mother Nature had been incredibly cruel to the little city 100 miles south of the Canadian border that winter and spring, raining down eight blizzards. The dykes protecting the city broke that April morning and gravity took over. The city slowly flooded ... and flooded ... and flooded. Just the day before, we had finished the seemingly endless sand-bagging effort, building a 10-foot-high wall of sand around the city. But that was history once the waters came crashing through. The dyke we all worked for weeks to build was suddenly helpless; 50,000 people fled their homes and businesses. To add insult to injury, the city's downtown caught fire. You may have seen it on the news. A city ablaze, while under water. The flood left the firefighters without water pressure. They had to fight the fire from boats. The irony.

So what does this have to do with charity? In the midst of all this destruction, the American Red Cross established a shelter in the base fitness center. They provided cots and blankets, food and water, warmth and dryness, love and comfort. The American Red Cross was ready. Three thousand people took shelter there for weeks. After the water subsided, the Salvation Army led the clean-up and rebuilding efforts.

Having lived through this and having seen first-hand the critical need for the basic necessities in the hours immediately following such a disaster, I realized that the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army were ready for this epic disaster thanks to the donations of folks like you and me. Since 1997, these are the charities I choose to give to during each Combined Federal Campaign season. Actually, I consider them "my" charities now.
We've been through a lot together. Come to think of it, I even deployed with the American Red Cross. Yep, they had an office right there at Camp Bondsteel in the middle of Kosovo. Fresh popcorn and coffee, an impressive collection of magazines and videos, and always a warm smile from a volunteer as far away from home as I was.

I know that many of you have what you consider "your" charities, too. Maybe it's the American Cancer Society or Alzheimer's Association of America. Maybe it's Easter Seals or the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Heck, maybe it's the Guide Dogs of America or the American Humane Association. Whatever you consider "your" charity, odds are good the CFC gives you the opportunity and the privilege to conveniently give to them. But don't just give and forget. Charity goes a lot further than filling out the CFC pledge card. Get out into the local area and volunteer your time. Folks, there are people in need right outside our doorsteps. Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Murphey House and Adopt-A-Ward are just a few. Sure, that monetary allotment every month is critical, but sometimes what people need most is what money can't buy; a caring hand, open arms or a warm smile. Please just don't wait until there's a flood!

(This commentary does not intend to endorse any specific charity)