If Tuesday's turnout at the annual Combined Federal Campaign kickoff luncheon at the American Lake Club on Joint Base Lewis-McChord is any indicator of the level of excitement behind the 50th year of the CFC, then local charities have a lot to be excited about.

Campaign officials, Servicemembers and those involved with more than 20 local charities packed the banquet room. Luncheon organizers called it one of the best turnouts in years. The goal of the event is to get people excited about the campaign, said Melanie Manista-Rushforth, CFC director.

"We want to show them that (the campaign) is not just trying to get into their pockets, but it's trying to show them where their money goes and the importance of giving," Manista-Rushforth said.

In the 50 years CFC has been around, it has raised a combined $7 billion for the charities involved. Soldiers and Airmen - most CFC representatives for their unit - had the opportunity to walk the room after eating and talk to representatives from local charities.

"We tell people these charities are here to talk to them about what they do and possibly how (Servicemembers and their families) can receive services from them," Manista-Rushforth said.

Sgt. 1st Class Monica Cuevas, a troop from Madigan Healthcare System, was making the rounds, meeting people and gathering a variety of information to bring back to her Soldiers.

"Some people always give to specific charities and they never really look (at other options) because (military members are) so transient," Cuevas said. "(This) gives you an opportunity to see what people can give to locally."

Military members' participation as mentors with Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Southwest Washington plays a key role in helping the lives of at-risk children. Representative Jessica Gould was manning a table talking to Servicemembers about the positive impact the program has locally.

"We have a lot of mentors who are in the military and got started because while they're deployed they make it a point to want to be part of something positive when they get back - something that would make a difference in a child's life," Gould said. "I hear that many times."

With this being the 50th year of the campaign, Manista-Rushforth said officials are hoping people will consider donating a little more to celebrate the milestone.

"Maybe look at the 50 year piece of it and increase your donation this year by $50," she said.