Heart of Alabama CFC exceeds goal by more than $66k Published Dec. 12, 2008 By Scott Knuteson Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Pledges to the Heart of Alabama Combined Federal Campaign surpassed expectations, landing at 108 percent of the original goal, Lt. Gen. Allen Peck, commander of Air University and the chairman for the Heart of Alabama CFC, announced Wednesday at the victory and awards ceremony. "It's all about the American spirit of giving to others in need," General Peck said. "Despite the economy, everyone stepped up and exceeded their goals." More than $906,000 was pledged this year by federal agencies across 15 counties, said Lew Lewis, the director of the Heart of Alabama CFC. Of that total, the Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base community pledged more than $623,000, or 69 percent of the entire local campaign. "The funds raised locally will stay here," said Will Sellers, chairman of the 2008 River Region United Way Campaign. "It's our neighbors who will benefit." The River Region United Way provides administrative and logistical support for the Heart of Alabama Combined Federal Campaign, but is otherwise unaffiliated. During the ceremony, numerous organizations were recognized for exceeding their individual goals, some by as much as 296 percent, a mark attained by the Air Force Research Institute. But the Air Force Research Institute was only one of 46 different federal organizations from throughout Maxwell and the surrounding region that received a "Gold Award" for meeting or exceeding individual target amounts. Twenty-three of these organizations also set new individual records, exceeding past years' pledges. The regional campaign is the local component of the national charitable fundraising initiative. The annual event is the only authorized solicitation of United States employees in the federal workplace on behalf of charitable organizations.