AFAF campaign to begin

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class William O'Brien
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The 2009 Air Force Assistance Fund campaign is Feb. 23 through April 6, to raise funds for affiliates that give assistance to Air Force active duty, retirees, Reservists, Guardsmen and their dependents.

According to the Air Force Aid Society, the AFAF was established to provide an annual effort to raise funds for the AFAS, as well as Air Force Villages Foundation and the General and Mrs. E. LeMay Foundation.

"All four of the charities are designed to assist different parts of the military family," said Capt. Justin Higham, 95th Medical Group resource management flight commander. "It assists everyone from young Airmen to widows or widowers of former servicemembers."

In 2007, the Air Force Aid Society distributed about $18.7 million in emergency assistance and $7.7 million in interest free loans.

"The most important thing about this campaign is that in addition to helping others is that the money donated can directly assist those around you if they get into a tough situation," said 2nd Lt. Myogene Park, 95th Comptroller Squadron contract specialist.

The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation was built to provide financial assistance to spouses who supported the careers of their spouse as they served as officers and enlisted personnel, who retired before the Survivor Benefit Plan was created.

"The spouses of servicemembers who made a career out of the Air Force can find it hard to maintain a steady job and get promotions in it because they find themselves moving frequently," said Captain Higham. "After the servicemember dies, their spouse may have difficulty supporting themselves, especially during tough economic times like these."

Since 1967, the Air Force Enlisted Village Indigent Widows' Fund has provided a safe and secure location for indigent surviving spouses of retired Air Force personnel. The Village's primary goal and focus is to provide a home and financial assistance.

The Air Force Villages Indigent Widows' Fund provides widows of career retired Air Force officers with cost-effective living options. For more than 30 years, the fund gave more than $10 million of assistance.

"The Air Force Enlisted Village and Air Force Villages Indigent Widows' Fund are both similar to the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation," said Captain Higham. "The difference between them is the way they give aid; the villages offer retirees and their spouses housing, whereas The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation provides financial support."

Team Edwards participation goal for the AFAF campaign is 100 percent contact with all base servicemembers and 50 percent participation and a financial goal is $47,708.

"To donate, talk to your unit representative and receive AF form 2561," said Lieutenant Park. "When donating, you can either give cash or check or give in monthly allotments."

Civilians can also donate, but they can only do so by cash or check. They can't choose the monthly allotment option.

For more information, visit the AFAF Web site at www.afassistancefund.org.