AFAF charities help Airmen in need

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Stacy Sanchez
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  In the early '90s, when Master Sgt. Lori Dunn, now a superintendent with the 95th Comptroller Squadron, received a notification from her first sergeant that her grandfather had passed away, the first thing on her mind was finding the funds for a plane ticket home. 

With the help of her First Sergeants and the Air Force Aid Society, Sergeant Dunn was given a cash loan to get a flight that next morning to be with her loved ones. 

"The Air Force Aid Society loaned me money to buy a commercial airline ticket to go home," Sergeant Dunn said. "They gave me a cash loan that I paid back at a later time, which was great. I did not qualify for a grant since my grandfather was not an immediate family member, but the loan was still very helpful." 

The Air Force Aid Society is the official charity of the Air Force. It was established to provide assistance to Air Force active duty, retirees, reservists, guardsmen and their dependents in case of a financial emergency. 

"Members who qualify are given interest free loans or grants during a personal or family emergency," said Capt. Frank Yoon, the 95th Air Base Wing assistant staff judge advocate and the AFAF installation project officer. "Emergency financial assistance is available through the AFAS, which is located in the Airman and Family Readiness Center." 

The Air Force Aid Society is one of four organizations available through the AFAF. The Air Force Enlisted Village Foundation, the Air Force Villages Foundation, and the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation. In case of unique emergencies, these organizations help Air Force families with money, educational needs or offer a retirement home for widows or widowers of Air Force members. 

"At some point in everyone's career there will come a time when they or someone they know might need to use these organizations," Sergeant Dunn said. 

The Air Force Assistance Fund has begun their annual campaign to raise funds for these organizations. The campaign is ongoing though April 27. 

For emergency financial assistance or to donate to the AFAF, visit http://afassistancefund.org, or call (800) 769-8951.

Editors note: This article is the second in a two-part series highlighting the Air Force Assistance Fund Campaign.