2010 CFC kicks off Published Nov. 7, 2010 By Staff Sgt. Ben Marshall 178th Maintenance Squadron SPRINGFIELD, Ohio -- The 178th Fighter Wing Combined Federal Campaign for 2010 officially began the first week of October with a CFC Kick Off Oct. 8 at Springfield Air National Guard Base, Ohio. The CFC is an annual charity drive that runs from Sept. 1 to Dec. 15 and gives federal civilian, postal and military personnel a chance to donate to charities of their choice. The charities support eligible non-profit organizations that provide health and human service benefits throughout the world. This year the 178 FW's goal is to raise $25,000 for multiple CFC charities. In order to start on the path to meet its goal, the 178 FW held events the first week of October. In the past, the events have been limited to a single day and entailed a golf scramble, poker tournament and the selling of raffle tickets. This year's CFC coordinators, Tech. Sgt. Randy Robbins and Staff Sgt. Ross Farling, along with a team of Airmen, decided to add two more days of events before the official start date. Senior Master Sgt. Larry Cook and Master Sgt. Todd Ault organized the first-ever CFC charity motorcycle ride. There were 38 bikers in attendance for the Oct. 6 run who each donated $20 to participate. The group completed a 100-mile ride that started and ended at the base, with a stop at Motor Sports of Dayton, lunch at Vintage Bar and Grill in Urbana, Ohio, and a visit to Mid-Ohio Harley Davidson. The ride raised $500 toward the goal. The 7th Annual Golf Scramble at Rocky Lakes Golf Course, Springfield, Ohio was held Oct. 7 and had 104 participants who donated $25 each. The golf scramble, coordinated by Chief Master Sgt. Michele Francis, Master Sgt. Tim Huber and Staff Sgt. Ben Marshall, raised more than $1,600. The CFC Kick Off began with a 5K fun run and six-member fire truck pulls Oct. 8. A volleyball tournament was held later in the morning with the Fighter Wing Staff team scoring the most points. Teams earned points in an effort to win the CFC traveling trophy. Other events during the day included a chipping contest, closest to pin, Wiffle ball tournament, card tournament and cornhole with members donating $2 to participate in each event. During the events the Sabre Cats, a band consisting of unit members, played music from the '70s, '80s, '90s and today. Even the 178 FW commander, Col. Mike Roberts, jumped in the action singing "Sweet Home Alabama." This year's winner of the CFC traveling trophy was the Fighter Wing Staff. Overall, the starting CFC activities raised a grand total of $3,400, putting the 178 FW well on its way toward its goal of $25,000.