Marine Corps Base Quantico -- So far, Marine Corps Base Quantico has raised $8,700 for the Combined Federal Campaign, which started September 1.

Dahlgren Naval Base has raised $24,600.

“We need to beat them!” said 2nd Lt. Talia Bastien, Security Battalion, this year’s CFC representative for the base. “Marines are better than every other branch at everything — let’s be the best at this, too.”

To officially kick off the 2015 CFC, Headquarters and Service Battalion hosted a field meet on Barnett Field on Oct. 8.

The meet consisted of three events: a battle skills relay, Spartan games, and a zombie gauntlet. Squads from Security Battalion, Combat Camera, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Training and Education Command, and The Basic School competed in the field meet. TBS won the day’s events.

A handful of the 24,000 charities in the CFC catalogue were present to give information about their respective organizations. The CFC is the world’s largest annual workplace charity campaign, with every penny going to the charity that the giver designates through payroll deductions or a one-time gift.

Bastien said that last year, the kick-off event raised $2,000 towards the CFC. She is hoping to raise $2,500 this year. The base’s goal for the entire CFC is to raise $500,000.

Bastien said that charities often budget for the entire year based on what they get from the CFC.

“Everybody has a pet cause that is dear to them,” Bastien said. “This is a chance to take five minutes and give a child clean drinking water or prevent an animal from being abused. It’s important to be a part of something bigger than yourself.”

Bastien hopes the field meet will get everyone talking about the CFC. The momentum will continue next week with a public pledge ceremony from 11 a.m. to noon on Oct. 15 at The Clubs at Quantico, during which all base commanding officers and various chiefs of staff will pledge to participate in the campaign.

“[Base commander] Col. Murray wants all Marines to know that the leadership takes this campaign seriously,” Bastien said.

— Writer: auphausconner@quanticosentryonline.com