MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Maxwell Airmen and federal employees met representatives of 35 different charitable organizations during the 2015 Combined Federal Campaign kickoff event held at the Maxwell Club Sept. 22, 2015.

CFC supports and promotes philanthropy through a voluntary program that is employee-focused, cost efficient and effective in providing Federal employees the opportunity to contribute to charities through payroll deductions.

This year, Airmen and other federal employees have more than 22,000 national, international and local charitable organizations to choose from.

"Everyone at some point will probably use a charitable organization, so give back when you can," said Beverly Arnold, Heart of Alabama CFC director.

Guest speaker Melinda McClendon, The Sconyers Group marketing consultant and fundraiser, greeted Maxwell participants and shared her experiences with giving back.

McClendon is the mother of a child with special needs and the daughter of an Alzheimer's victim, so she knows firsthand who the benefactors are to these non-profit organizations.

"It's not about writing a check, you can be that person to make a change and I challenge you to do that. Everybody has the opportunity to change lives, you don't have to change a million or a thousand; just one life," said McClendon.

The face-to face campaign ends Nov. 20, but donators have until the beginning of payroll deductions in January 2016 to donate.

Payroll deductions for this year will run from January 2016 through the end of December 2016.

Donations can be set up directly in MyPay or by clicking the pledge online link on the Heart of Alabama CFC website, www.heartofalabamacfc.org.