Time is now to donate to AFAF Published April 23, 2013 By Brig. Gen. Michael T. Brewer 412th Test Wing commander EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- This year's Air Force Assistance Fund campaign is in its final stretch and we're learning about many of our fellow Airmen who have been helped in the past by our four affiliate charities of the AFAF or know someone who has been helped. Our base goal for this year is $60,215, and we're nearly half way there but we're running out of time to make or even surpass that goal. If your unit key worker has already come to talk to you about AFAF, but you haven't yet called them back to give, please do it today. Many times we tend to put off important things or forget about them. We may also believe that "others can take care of it this year," and maybe we will participate next year. I believe this can be why the historical participation rate among active duty members has been between 23 and 30 percent. It would be better to see many or most Airmen give just a little than to have just a few giving a lot, which has been the trend over the past three years. Your contributions will help Airmen in need of emergency funds for basic living expenses; emergency travel to get home to a sick or dying loved one; aid in vehicle expenses; funeral expenses; medical/dental needs; child care/respite; moving expenses; educational grants/scholarships, base community enhancement programs and to provide a home for our retirees and their widows/widowers. We've seen the Air Force Aid Society help over 7,600 Airmen in a single quarter before! And the other affiliate charities often help our retired Airmen on a continual basis. Thank you for continuing our proud tradition in our "Commitment to Caring" through giving to the AFAF campaign.