OSI Headquarters celebrates several CFC firsts

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tamika Edwards
  • OSI Public Affairs
OSI HQ QUANTICO, Va. --  The Air Force Office of Special Investigations Headquarters' 2011 Combined Federal Campaign had many firsts.

It was the first CFC at the new OSI Headquarters in the Russell-Knox Building, Quantico, Va., and it was the first time participating as part of the Potomac Region CFC effort.

"I was thoroughly impressed that we surpassed our unofficial CFC goal of $40,000 by more than $19,000," said Brig. Gen. Kevin Jacobsen, OSI commander. "Our CFC project officer did an excellent job leading our team to successfully achieve and surpass our CFC contribution goals."

OSI Special Agent Michael Bryant, the 2011 OSI HQ CFC project officer, said he's always been a strong CFC supporter.

"It's pretty fantastic to see the inner workings of CFC," Bryant said. "Every person counts and seeing that makes a world of difference.

With Bryant leading the CFC team of fifteen key workers, they were able to make 100 percent contact with the OSI HQ personnel.

"I was inspired by the passion our personnel had for their chosen charities," said Master Sgt. John Percey, one of the CFC key workers. "I was also impressed with their generosity."

CFC gives federal employees an opportunity to give back to the community and support various non-profit organizations. The CFC season runs from Sept. 1 through Dec. 15.

"CFC is an opportunity for us to concentrate on charities in a focused way," said Chief Master Sergeant John Fine OSI command chief.

Despite the state of the economy, people are still giving all they can to their favorite charities.

"It's heart-warming especially when contributions for most charities are on a decline," said Col. Keith Givens, OSI vice commander. "We not only serve our country but our community as well."

OSI's CFC team held various fundraisers, including a chili cook off which raised $400 for CFC. This year's chili cook off was named the First Annual Gale Ahern Chili Cook Off, in honor of the late Mr. Gale Ahern, who was a big supporter and contributor of CFC for many years.

"We gave tribute to Mr. Ahern, and that made this year's CFC even more special," said Mr. Michael Janosov, OSI executive director.

This was also the first year participating in a joint CFC venture at OSI HQ.

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service CFC team was part of that CFC collaborative effort.

"We enjoyed collaborating with the other four agencies," said Ms. Katie Jones, NCIS. "It was advantageous to combine our efforts and resources. The joint events brought greater awareness, participation, donations, and a united partnership among the agencies."

Army Criminal Investigative Command, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and the Defense Security Service also participated in the RKB joint CFC effort.

"Future joint ventures with our RKB counterparts doesn't stop with CFC fundraisers," Jacobsen said. "Being housed in a single building with our military criminal investigation organization partners will go a long way with future interagency operations."

With the 2011 CFC season only recently in the history books, many people are already looking forward to next year's. Jacobsen is among them.

"I expect next year's CFC to be just as successful, if not better," Jacobsen said.