CFB Esquimalt personnel kicked off the base’s annual United Way of Greater Victoria fundraising campaign Tuesday.
The event featured a lunch time barbecue with senior personnel volunteering to take a dunk- tank plunge in the name of charity.
Rear-Admiral Bill Truelove announced the Maritime Forces Pacific campaign goal $650,000.
“I am looking forward to another successful campaign and encourage the entire defence team to become actively involved in this worthy cause,” Truelove said.
CFB Esquimalt with its 6,000 personnel is the largest corporate contributor to the United Way of Greater Victoria’s campaign.
The 2014 campaign raised more than $600,000, or 10 per cent of the total raised in the Greater Victoria region.
“DND is a huge supporter of the community and a big part of United Way’s community campaign,” said Brittany Decker, the United Way's director of community campaign
This year the United Way has set a fundraising goal of $6 million.
The United Way of Greater Victoria supports 60 agencies and more than 100 programs for families, children and the needy.