# DLA Energy volunteers for Combined Federal Campaign

/ Published Dec. 29, 2022
FORT BELVOIR, Va., 
Give. Volunteer. Engage. The Combined Federal Campaign is an annual opportunity for members of the federal community to support charities they care about through monetary and volunteer contributions.

To showcase a CFC cause of the week, a team from Defense Logistics Agency Energy volunteered and organized a charitable event in honor of ending poverty and mental wellness.

With food donated by DLA Energy employees, five volunteers cooked and served meals for 30 residents at the Hilda M. Barg Homeless Prevention Center Dec. 26. The team prepared meatballs in gravy, noodles, green beans, salad, rolls, and ice cream. The team also provided groceries for lunches including bread, lunch meat, a variety of pastas, applesauce and juices.

                Michelle Groat prepares gravy to go with meatballs for a Combined Federal Campaign cause of the week charitable event in honor of ending poverty and mental wellness. With food donated by DLA Energy employees, five volunteers cooked and served meals for 30 residents at the Hilda M. Barg Homeless Prevention Center Dec. 26. Photo courtesy of Michelle Groat.                            DLA Energy volunteers for Combined Federal Campaign                            Michelle Groat prepares gravy to go with meatballs for a Combined Federal Campaign cause of the week charitable event in honor of ending poverty and mental wellness. With food donated by DLA Energy employees, five volunteers cooked and served meals for 30 residents at the Hilda M. Barg Homeless Prevention Center Dec. 26. Photo courtesy of Michelle Groat.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Photo courtesy of Michelle GroatVIRIN: 221226-D-D0441-801

“We could not have done this great community service without the outstanding support of those who helped me plan and prepare the meals,” said DLA Energy’s CFC Coordinator Michelle Groat. “Thank you to Navy Cmdr. Raz Balogun, Avril Penn, Felicia Johnson, and my sister Linda Frye. You all made this an enjoyable and fulfilling event!”  

Groat and 32 CFC keyworkers are leading the fundraising effort for DLA Energy. Groat has been actively involved with the CFC, either as the coordinator or a keyworker, for over 30 years as a military servicemember and as a civilian. Her full-time position is on DLA Energy Commander’s Action Group supporting senior leadership strategic goals.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates nearly one in five Americans is affected by mental health conditions to varying degrees, with over 12 million suffering from severe depression. When it comes to the mental wellness of individuals and communities, charities are often on the front lines, providing resources and life-saving care such as workshops, online resources and education, hotlines, professional therapists and doctors, and improvements to the community through collaborative spaces.

The Hilda M. Barg Homeless Prevention Center is a program which provides emergency short term shelter to families with at least one child under 18 years of age. The center works to equip these families with the tools and resources they need to obtain and sustain permanent housing.

                Avril Penn and Felicia Johnson prepare noodles for a Combined Federal Campaign cause of the week charitable event in honor of ending poverty and mental wellness. With food donated by DLA Energy employees, five volunteers cooked and served meals for 30 residents at the Hilda M. Barg Homeless Prevention Center Dec. 26. Photo by Michelle Groat.                            DLA Energy volunteers for Combined Federal Campaign                            Avril Penn and Felicia Johnson prepare noodles for a Combined Federal Campaign cause of the week charitable event in honor of ending poverty and mental wellness. With food donated by DLA Energy employees, five volunteers cooked and served meals for 30 residents at the Hilda M. Barg Homeless Prevention Center Dec. 26. Photo by Michelle Groat.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Photo courtesy of Michelle GroatVIRIN: 221226-D-D0441-800

“I’d like to thank all of those who donated food and volunteered to help cook and serve,” Groat said. “There were many happy families, especially the kids who enjoyed making their own ice cream sundaes. It felt really good knowing that we were doing our part in helping these families.”

The volunteers were Michelle Groat, Navy Cmdr. Raz Balogun, Avril Penn, Felicia Johnson, and Linda Frye (Groat’s sister). Food donations were received from (in alphabetical order): Allison Ahmadi, Air Force Master Sgt. Wesley Best, Connie Braesch, Donya Cox, JoAna Davis, Michelle Groat, Air Force Tech Sgt. Harris, Air Force Col. Keith Mecham, Air Force Master Sgt. Matthew Nichols, Avril Penn, Erin Ralph, Alicia Slate, Regina Watson, Alicia West, and Aviancia White.

The 2022 CFC official solicitation period runs from Sept. 1, 2022, to Jan. 14, 2023. The current DLA pledge totals are $164,118 and 110 volunteer hours.

Read this DLA news story for more information on how to donate.