Team Edwards kicks off AFAF campaign Published March 13, 2012 By Jet Fabara 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- It's that time of year again when the entire base gears up for the 2012 Air Force Assistance Fund campaign, which officially kicked off March 5 at Edwards. This year's campaign continues the Air Force's heritage of Airmen taking care of Airmen for the 39th year and will run until April 13, 2012. "The campaign's theme 'Commitment to Caring' reflects the support for four Air Force charities - the Air Force Aid Society, Air Force Enlisted Village, Air Force Village and the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation," said Capt. Ronald Elazegui, 95th Medical Support Squadron pharmacist and AFAF Installation Project Officer for this year's campaign. "Not only do these organizations help active duty, reservists, guardsmen and retirees, but they provide support for spouses, widows and widowers, not to exclude emergency no-interest loans, PCS child care, spouse employment and grants." The AFAF was established to provide for an annual effort to raise funds for the charitable affiliates that provide support to the Air Force family (active duty, retirees, reservists, guard and their dependents, including surviving spouses) in need. These organizations help Air Force people with aid in an emergency, with educational needs, or to have a secure retirement home for widows or widowers of Air Force members in need of financial assistance. "The personal interest and support of the base in this the campaign is essential as we endeavor to achieve Edwards' campaign goal of $58,400," said Capt. Scott Burrows, 773rd Test Squadron aeronautical engineer and AFAF Installation Project Officer. According to Elazegui, support from the base is always important, especially this year, since money from the private sector has diminished due to the economy. "The money coming from this campaign is needed in order to help the people who served before us and who are currently serving when times get rough," Elazegui said. For more information regarding this year's AFAF campaign, call Capt. Elazegui at 277-2052 or Capt. Burrows at 661-276-3094. For more information on the AFAF's affiliate charities, visit their website at http://www.afassistancefund.org.