CFC kick-off included TEC commander, singer, color guard

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith
  • I.G. Brown Training and Education Center
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. --  Col. Jessica Meyeraan, commander of the I.G. Brown Training and Education Center, and other service members joined area federal workers downtown Sept. 10 for the Smoky Mountain Region Combined Federal Campaign.

The 2015 campaign represents 26 counties in four states and highlights the theme, Serve.

"So I challenge each and every one of you, as we kick start this campaign, to serve until it feels good," said Meyeraan, to more than 100 in attendance.

Chief Master Sgt. Andy Traugot, TEC division chief, sang the national anthem.

A TEC color guard presented the colors and included Master Sgt. Don Pierson, Master Sgt. Raymond Harris, Master Sgt. Drew Carson and Tech. Sgt. John McClean.

More than 30 charitable organizations set up information booths at the event.

Meyeraan is the region's campaign co-chair. She spoke about the campaign's history and before retired professional football player Antone Davis spoke about his starting support into sports from similar donations.

Officials said that the Smoky Mountain region raised $644,463 for charities last year and earned a national performance award from the Office of Personnel Management.

The CFC's greater annual efforts, nationwide, contribute hundreds of millions in donations to more than 20,000 nonprofit national and international charitable organizations.