Team Buckley off to good CFC start: CPTS Airman shares reason for donating

Published Oct. 12, 2012
By Senior Airman Christopher Gross
460th Space Wing Public Affairs

BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Team Buckley raised more than $19,000 toward the 2012 Combined Federal Campaign to wrap up week one.

The goal is to have a 30 percent participation rate, surpassing the 26 percent participation rate from 2011.

Senior Airman Amy McMillan, 460th Comptroller Squadron budget analysis, was one contributor.

"It's nice to give back once in a while," McMillan said. "I donate to Praying Hands Ranch and Freedom Service Dogs to help those people that have come back disabled from overseas."

"Freedom Service Dogs trains rescue dogs to assist and provide companionship for people with disabilities," according to the charity's website. "Service dogs are specially-trained to help perform a multitude of tasks that increase the independence of their human partners. What was once impossible becomes possible."

Task include dogs helping the disabled transfer in and out of a wheelchair, retrieve and carry dropped objects, open and close doors, assist in pulling a wheelchair and many other things, according to the website.

"Praying Hands Ranches is committed to meeting the needs of mentally, emotionally and physically challenged children, adults, troubled youth and disabled veterans in a ranch environment therapeutic center," according to the website. "(The) primary task is giving all clients an opportunity to grow mentally, physically and emotionally strong, gain self-esteem, become independent, learn to care for others, be courageous enough to overcome some fears and achieve a better quality of life overall."

McMillan said she thought its neat how both organizations train animals as a therapeutic tool to help disabled people.

CFC is that time of year where everyone on base pulls together and gives back to those organizations that give so much all year, said McMillan. If people are able to give, even if it's not much, then they should. Plus it's "super easy."

McMillan donated by hard-copy and said it wasn't complicated, but those willing to donate can also do it online at https://www.cfcnexus.org/_cfcmetrodenver/ or go to the Buckley website and click on the CFC link. The CFC is scheduled to run through Nov. 22, but people can continue to make donations till Dec. 15.