CFC drive hits half-way mark, Vance radiologist shares Red Cross story Published Oct. 26, 2011 VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The 2011 Combined Federal Campaign at Vance Air Force Base has raised more than $23,000 so far, and the drive is more than half way over. "The CFC at Vance runs until Nov. 10," said Capt. Lewis Taylor, 71st Flying Training Wing CFC coordinator this year. "Our goal is to make 100 percent contact will all active duty and civilian workers on Vance and give them the opportunity to participate." Contributors can direct their donations to any of more than 20,000 charities, including several from the local area. For one Team Vance member, the CFC charity that touched her life earlier this year is the American Red Cross. A radiology technician at the 71st Medical Group, Tech. Sgt. Tiesha Benson is from Tuscaloosa, Ala., a city hit hard by a tornado April 27, 2011. "That tornado changed the lives of every resident in Tuscaloosa, Ala., including me," said Benson. "I was born and raised there." The tornado struck in the afternoon with peak winds of 190 mph. Classified as an EF4, the tornado is believed responsible for at least 1,000 injuries and 65 deaths, according to the Tuscaloosa News. In the past, when she visited home, there was always a certain restaurant or store that was a landmark that reminded her of happy times from her childhood. "But what do you do when those landmarks are no longer there, and everything you looked forward to when visiting home is only a memory," said Benson. She felt compelled to do something so she went back to Tuscaloosa to help any way she could. "When I arrived I was almost lost because there were no street signs or traffic lights to give me a sense of direction," said Benson. "A foul odor lingered in the streets because of the numerous bodies buried underneath the debris." Many agencies were involved in the rescue and recovery operations. The American Red Cross was the first to stand up, transforming the local community center into living quarters for the displaced victims. "I will be forever grateful for the efforts the American Red Cross provided," said Benson. A complete list of CFC charities, including the American Red Cross, is available at www.cfc-centralok.org. For more information and to make a donation, contact your CFC representative: 71st Medical Group - Capt. Christopher Fries 71st Mission Support Group - 2nd Lt. Jason Perry 71st Operations Group - Capt. Kristen Franke Wing Staff Agencies - Senior Airman Alton Kelly 5th Flying Training Squadron - Maj. Alan Baum 8th Flying Training Squadron - 1st Lt. Robert Barlow 25th Flying Training Squadron - Capt. Otto Gerdeman 32nd Flying Training Squadron - 1st Lt. Nicolas Fairbrother 33rd Flying Training Squadron - 1st Lt. Branden Gulick 71st Operations Support Squadron - Staff Sgt. Laquetta Spann 71st Medical Operations Squadron - Tech. Sgt. Darlene Cox 71st Medical Support Squadron - Airman 1st Class Mark Tumbagon 71st Logistics Readiness Squadron - Senior Airman Travis McCallum 71st Force Support Squadron - 1st Lt. Gusty Holmberg 71st Security Forces Squadron - Tech. Sgt. Richard Dodson