Tinker celebrates CFC achievements Published Nov. 19, 2009 By Brandice J. Armstrong Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Tinker excelled once again during the Combined Federal Campaign and approximately 100 people attended the victory party in the Tinker Club ballroom Nov. 13. There was a lot to celebrate. Central Oklahoma Department of Defense employees raised more than $2 million during the five-and-a-half-week campaign. They exceeded this year's goal by roughly $250,000. "Terrific job everyone," said Maj. Gen. David Gillett, Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center commander. "You've exceeded our goals once again and the operational readiness inspection that was going on at the same time didn't slow down the CFC at all." The campaign theme was, "All Aboard: Moving Forward Together," and was open to Tinker military, civilians and central-Oklahoma military-affiliated organizations. Contributions supported 220 local, nonprofit agencies and 3,000 nonprofit programs worldwide. In addition to the money raised during the drive, Tinker Federal Credit Union donated a corporate gift of $7,500 to the campaign at the party. "It's always a great privilege to participate, not only in this campaign but in everything we give to you as part of the team of Tinker," said Mike Kloiber, TFCU president. Key workers, monitors, loaned executives and units that went "above and beyond the call of duty" were also recognized at the party. "Early Bird" and "Top Performer" trophies and certificates were the first to be given out. Early Bird awards were given to units that met or exceeded their organizational goal and turned their money in within 14 days of the start of the campaign. Twenty-two out of 48 organizations were Early Bird winners. Top Performer awards were given to Early Bird winners that had a higher employee participation rate over the previous year. Of the 22 Early Bird winners, 18 were also Top Performers. Organizations recognized as Top Performers included the 76th Maintenance Wing, 38th Cyberspace Engineering Group, Defense Logistics Agency's Defense Distribution Depot Oklahoma City and the 448th Supply Chain Management Wing. Ten people from the CFC's Treasurer's Office support staff were also recognized with coins. It was the support staff's responsibility to ensure money was accurately counted and pledge and report forms were properly filled out before being submitted to the downtown offices. "In fact, this team processed more than 6,359 forms and had no packets returned from the United Way for errors, and they safeguarded $75,000 in live funds," said Ron Mullan, event emcee. Three DOD Campaign Loaned Executives were also presented coins at the event. CFC loaned executives promoted the campaign by volunteering for 13 weeks as a liaison between the organizations within the DOD central-Oklahoma region and the downtown United Way offices. "They conducted full days of training for more than 250 key workers," Mr. Mullan said. "They drove more than 8,000 miles in three months to seven counties in the central Oklahoma region. They also organized and held over 130 rallies, speeches and events related to the campaign." Seven key workers and monitors, whose work throughout the campaign was deemed as "outstanding," were rewarded with coins for their efforts. Key workers and monitors set up rallies with speakers from local charities, conducted bake sales and silent auctions. "I'm very proud of all the key workers, Treasurer's office support staff and the countless volunteers for their passionate work on this year's campaign," said Mindy Banz, 2009 Central Oklahoma DOD CFC director. "There's not enough gratitude to express for all they accomplished above and beyond their day jobs. Most importantly, because of their efforts and the contributions of so many employees, the homeless are sheltered, children are fed, the wounded and weak are cared for, animals are loved, and the earth is restored."