Maxwell exceeds its 2012 CFC goal Published Nov. 21, 2012 By Rebecca Burylo Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Raising more than $560,000 for charitable organizations, Maxwell has once again proven the depth of its heart, by not only reaching its Heart of Alabama Combined Federal Campaign goal to provide services to children, the homeless, natural disaster areas and the environment, but exceeding it as well. Col. Trent Edwards, commander of the 42nd Air Base Wing, said he could not be prouder of Maxwell and Gunter. "I'm very proud of Maxwell and Gunter. People give from their heart. They give because they feel compelled to help," he said. "And the fact that we exceeded our goal is fantastic." With a goal of $558,405 when the campaign began Sept. 21, Maxwell raised $566,799 by the campaign's end Nov. 9. Maxwell is again the highest contributor among all those participating within the CFC's 30 counties, according to Xavier Lewis, director of the Heart of Alabama Combined Federal Campaign. "Maxwell again is leading our campaign and is what we call our pace setter in our organization," he said. That number is still rising as donations can still be made up until the CFC victory and award ceremony Dec.14 at the Maxwell Club, where Lewis will hold an unveiling of the final overall CFC contribution amount. It's a way to celebrate and inform the community of what was raised, who was helped as well as recognizing all the project officers and volunteers who collected information, contribution sheets and tallied the number of dollars. Maxwell's final count will be called along with other organizations' goals and any new records set. Awards also will be given to each project officer involved. It is a time to celebrate achievement, but it's also a time to remember why we give, Edwards said. "At the end of the day, it's about taking care of people and families and that's what this money goes toward, to help someone in need and to help organizations that are helping people," he said. "We never know when a natural disaster is going to strike, whether it's a fire or a flood, tsunami or a hurricane, and there are organizations out there that are motivated to help people in those situations and so every little bit helps." According to Lewis, Maxwell and Gunter had 1,851 contributions. The entire installation as a community worked together to exceed its goal, including representatives from the 42nd Air Base Wing, Air University, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Air Force Legal Operations Agency, the 908th Airlift Wing, the commissary and Maxwell Elementary Middle School. Edwards is proud of those who came together to give what they could. "Thank you to all those folks who donated, and again, every little bit helps. You get to a number like $567,000, one dollar at a time, so whether it's $1 or $5 or $2,500, the point is someone thought enough, cared enough to give what they could and it benefits a lot of folks who are deserving and in need," Edwards said. "As a team, we got fired up and got it done." Maxwell has participated in the Heart of Alabama's CFC for 51 years, supporting such nonprofit organizations as the American Red Cross, the Montgomery Humane Society, Habitat for Humanity, the Family Sunshine Center and the Children's Center of Montgomery. Organized in the 1960s, the CFC is the only authorized organization allowed in the workplace for federal employees to contribute to charitable organizations. Through the CFC's payroll deduction option, participants are able to spread out their total pledged contribution over a year's time. Deductions begin from the employee's first pay period in January to the last pay period in December.