F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- Members of the 90th Missile Wing, along with dependents, participated in a bake-off at the Trail’s End ballroom on F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, to kick off the beginning of the Combined Federal Campaign Dec. 1, 2023. CFC is an annual fundraising drive that raises awareness of various charities to promote support from members of the Department of Defense.
The bake-off was conducted in three categories; cookies, brownies and cupcakes, and cakes. Attendees were provided with three tickets, allowing them to cast one vote for each of the three categories. The treats themselves were set out openly for everyone present to enjoy as much as they liked. In addition to supporting CFC, the event was an opportunity for attendees and participants to socialize as the holiday season began.
The main function of the event was explained by 1st Lt. Stephen Peña Osorio, one of the main organizers who put it together.
“The primary purpose of CFC is continuous funding,” Peña Osorio explains. “That way these charities have money coming in, no matter what.”
He stated that many charities that rely on one-time donations can often find themself forced to be frugal in their outreach, or otherwise run out of money to perform their stated missions. By promoting donation through the CFC, they can have a more clear long-term budget with which to plan out their operations.
Another primary organizer for the event was Tech. Sgt. Joshua Mitchell, and many volunteers credited his work as a driving force of the event.
“I honestly think it’s a much larger turnout than I expected,” says Mitchell. “What I hoped for was to get everyone out and to have them socialize.”
As the event wrapped up, everyone in attendance gathered for an announcement and a presentation on the Combined Federal Campaign, with several local charities shown as examples of the many options for the individuals present to support. A night of snacks and socialization came to a close with the open opportunity to donate and hopefully make a difference in any number of ways.