NDWCC 2019: Campaign Call to Action

By Capt(N) D.E. Mazur,

CFB Halifax Base Commander, 2019 MARLANT NDWCC Champion

With the seasons rapidly changing, so too is the National Defence Workplace Charity Campaign (NDWCC) reaching an important milestone: we are now nearing the official end of our canvassing efforts. As the 2019 MARLANT NDWCC Champion, I am proud of what we have achieved so far. While I commend each and every person who has canvassed, donated, mobilized and volunteered, I would like to take this opportunity to encourage the entire DND community to keep contributing to the cause.

Over the course of the last seven weeks, the local Defence Team has organized several fun-filled, impactful activities. Various kick-off events – featuring chili cook-offs, pie throwing, bouncy castles, axe throwing and firetruck pulling – have highlighted the unique creativity and organizational skills of our Defence Team members. Other initiatives, such as the Paddle Against Poverty Dragon Boat Race, have allowed for collaborative, multi-unit fundraising. As dragon boat participants, CFB Halifax, MARLANT, Naval Fleet School (Atlantic), Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Scott, Canadian Fleet Atlantic and Canadian Forces Health Services Centre (Atlantic) collectively raised $10,000 for the NDWCC. Campaign volunteers have also expanded their efforts into the larger Halifax community. The Canadian Fleet Atlantic Headquarters (CANFLTLANT) team notably assisted The Club Inclusion charity with pumpkin carving and decorating for its annual Halloween Ball, as part of the United Way’s Day of Caring.

At this stage, I want to personally encourage the continuation of Command Team involvement and leadership until the end of the campaign – and beyond. As such, canvassers should keep reporting to Cdr Beth Vallis as they canvas their units and Command Teams are reminded to keep tracking all volunteer and fundraising activities conducted within their respective branches. All of this will help us capture our charitable giving and larger impact on the community.

While canvassing will end on November 29, various events and initiatives will be ongoing until mid-December. You can find information related to upcoming events on the MARLANT NDWCC website (http://halifax.mil.ca/NDWCC/events/events.php) and CFB Halifax’s Facebook Page (@BaseHalifax). Further, weekly updates and spotlights are being shared via Base-wide email (check out those Chase the Ace winners) and on social media (NDWCC-themed Face of Base).

Giving to the NDWCC allows us all to help those in need while also demonstrating our collective impact as a military community. Together, let’s keep standing shoulder-to-shoulder for these last few weeks of campaigning. Together, let’s make a difference.