I quit giving to the CFC in the Air Force about mid-way through my career. I gave the money to my local church and charities instead.

Problem with bigger charities and and employer driven programs is their is often an agenda that is pushed against certain groups. For instance, the Boy Scouts at one time were excluded from CFC because at the time they didn't allow Gay Scoutmasters. Now--not here to debate social issues, but I decided to support scouts directly as I had been part of the organization and thought they were solid. So I did, and that was my last AF paycheck deduction. When FedEx pushes similar United Way drives I do the same thing--nothing.

I'm all for being a good resource for your community. Whether your passion is animals, kids, parks or nature preservation--go for it. I also contribute to our ALPA pilot's assistance fund, which helps our own in need. But I quit taking joy in making some management guy--be it Airline or Air Force--fluff up his stats with my own money. Its eye-wash, and they can kiss my ass. If its so important to the company, then let them contribute.

What I have seen is when a pilot does something worthwhile, many times the company will then use their PR to highlight that and point out "this is one of ours making a difference!" I think that is super, and does not squash the individual's initiative to make a difference. Our company recently highlighted some of our pilots doing the "Ride Across America" for charity. We have a PHX based pilot who started his own non-profit for kids and has also gotten some press. If the company wants to help those efforts--fine. But arm twisting employees for some "feel good" BS has always irked me, and I have to say the day I just said "no" to the Air Force efforts was a very nice day, and amazingly enough nothing else was ever said about it.