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Antonnete Fernandez, coordinator of U.S. Army Garrison Kaisers-lautern’s 2011 Combined Federal Campaign-Overseas campaign, was recently recognized for her excellence.
Fernandez, who works at the garrison’s administrative support division, part of the directorate of human resources, received the CFC Hero Award from the Department of Defense’s Office of Personnel Management. The award was announced in mid-July.
Each year, OPM recognizes people who make extraordinary contributions to CFC through their dedication and creativity. Fernandez earned the recognition for “mentoring her unit representatives, publicizing the campaign and demonstrating her personal commitment and dedication to helping those whose need is great,” according to a news release from Global Impact, the organization that administers the CFC-O program. The hero awards are presented to the campaign’s unsung heroes who make significant differences and demonstrate leadership qualities in their campaigns.
Fernandez was among a group of committed leaders who received this much-deserved recognition, said Renée S. Acosta, Global Impact’s president.
In May, Acosta visited the garrison and thanked Fernandez for her efforts, including her tireless promotion and focus on the family support and youth programs fund, which directs contributions to programs that support children locally. While visiting Sembach Kaserne, Acosta presented the garrison a check for $24,995 that will go toward children’s recreation activities in the KMC.
“The CFC-O is a challenging campaign spread around the world,” Acosta said. “Yet, year after year the campaign and its generous donors provide significant funds to help people everywhere.”
In 2011, the overall CFC campaign raised more than $14.2 million. Thanks in part to Fernandez’s hard work, the garrison pledged more than $450,000 during 2011 — roughly $125,000 more than the previous year.
Five different people recommended Fernandez for the award, said Samantha Barrett, the CFC-Overseas coordinator for Europe and Africa.
In 2011, garrison Commander Lt. Col. Lars Zetterstrom kicked off the CFC campaign by shooting soccer balls at a goal tended by Betzi, the friendly devil mascot from the 1. FCK soccer club.
Fernandez then organized radio interviews, community information booths and Facebook posts to get the word out, Barrett said.
“She went above and beyond what she needed to do — out on weekends (and) at events to increase awareness,” Barrett said. “She went the extra step and made sure everyone was aware of the campaign.”
