Marines

Photo Information

Players participate in the Ultimate Dodgeball Championship tournament conducted as the Combined Federal Campaign's official kick-off for the 2016 drive. The event occurred at the Barber Center on Marine Corps Base Quantico.

Photo by Frances Seybold

Dodge ball tournament kicks off CFC campaign

7 Sep 2016 | Adele Uphaus-Conner Marine Corps Base Quantico

Marines enjoyed pummeling each other with dodge balls during a tournament held Sept. 1 at Barber Gym to kick-off the 2016 Combined Federal Campaign (CFC).

Twenty-eight teams of Marines, sailors, airmen, and civilians from all over Marine Corps Base Quantico competed in the tournament, while representatives from 20 charities set up tables in the gym to share information about their organizations. In addition to larger, national charities, many charities which specifically serve the communities surrounding MCBQ were present.

The CFC is the official workplace giving campaign of the federal government. From now until December 15, federal employees can pledge to support eligible nonprofit organizations through payroll deduction.

“This event is to kick off the campaign and raise awareness,” said Capt. Manuel Sanchez-Maldonado, assistant operations officer for Marine Corps Air Facility-Quantico and this year’s CFC representative. “I wanted to sponsor an activity that Marines would enjoy. We’ve got this, then golf next month, and then skeet-shooting in November and basketball in December.”

He said the goal this year is to raise $500,000 for the campaign. In 2015, MCBQ failed to reach the same goal. Sanchez-Maldonado hopes the installation will successfully meet its goal this year.

“Marines should donate to the campaign because it’s actually a way of meeting the mission,” he said. “You’re not just giving to distant organizations far away—you’re actually giving to the people to the right and left of you. I know of three people in my unit alone who received financial assistance for their families from organizations in the CFC.”

Marines can sign pledges to one or several organizations of their choice by contacting their unit CFC representative or by contacting Sanchez-Maldonado directly.

The next CFC event will be a golf tournament to be held at Medal of Honor Golf Course Oct. 6.

Writer: auphausconner@quanticosentryonline.com
Marine Corps Base Quantico