NORFOLK NAVAL SHIPYARD, Portsmouth, Va. –
Hot dogs, drinks, and a free concert? These are treats that one does not receive every day at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY), but were offered at the 2019 Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) Kickoff Nov. 6.
As of today, the CFC supports 20,000 nonprofit charities. Its mission is to “promote and support philanthropy through a program that is employee-focused, cost-efficient, and effective in providing all federal employees the opportunity to improve the quality of life for all,” according to its website.
This year’s theme was “Show Some Love Through Giving.” Representatives from several organizations were at the fair so employees could see which charities they could donate to through the CFC. “By serving others, we spread the sense of pride and purpose we show to our Navy and nation from within America’s Shipyard,” Shipyard Commander Capt. Kai Torkelson said in his opening remarks at the event.
Attendees were offered food and drinks; a raffle ticket to a giveaway for a Batman mug, local art pieces, an assortment of other gifts, and a surprise concert from one of NNSY’s Shipping and Handling employees Dominic Carr. NNSY’s Naval Civilian Managers Association (NCMA) Chairperson Bill Welch started off the donations by giving $100 to the American Red Cross.
“It’s important to get people excited about CFC,” CFC Coordinator Dorassa Fields explained. “If you’re excited about it, you’ll tell your friends. Even if it’s just free hotdogs, at least the name CFC will be thrown out and the seed of what it is and what’s going on will be planted.”
This year, NNSY’s goal is $300,000. To donate, go to https://cfcvab.org and use the code VHEF7N or visit https://www.opm.gov/combined-federal-campaign/ for more information.