AFAF begins 2011 push

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Michael Washburn
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  D-M kicked off the start of the annual Air Force Assistance Fund campaign with a breakfast at the Mirage Club here March 31.

D-M's goal for this year is $122,000, and Airmen only have a limited time to donate to the fund.

"The money you donate comes directly back to the Air Force," said Master Sgt. Tracey A. Booth, 355th Fighter Wing NCOIC of security forces training and AFAF assistant installation project officer. "It's not just about donating to get a enlisted performance report bullet or doing it because your supervisor tells you to; it's about taking care of your wingmen."

The Air Force Assistance Fund, which runs until May 6, provides assistance to Airmen in need, to include active-duty, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, retirees and their families. Whether an Airman or a member of their family needs help with a car repair, rent, educational needs or even just a place to live, the Air Force Assistance Fund can help.

For those who would like to donate, there are four organizations to choose from:

· Air Force Enlisted Village - The AFEV helps surviving spouses of retired Air Force personnel who have insufficient retirement income. They also provide temporary housing to the surviving spouses of enlisted members who have died while on active duty.
· Air Force Aid Society - The AFAS helps Airmen and their families who are in need with emergency interest-free loans for when unexpected issue arise.
· Air Force Village - The AFV is a retirement community that provides care for retired Air Force officer widows who need financial assistance.
· The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation - The LeMay Foundation awards financial grants of assistance to enlisted and officer retirees and their spouses.

Airmen wishing to donate may get in touch with their unit project officer. Posters around unit facilities will have point of contact information on them. Donations are made by cash, check or a voluntary deduction from base pay.

"The AFAF is all about Airmen taking care of Airmen," Sergeant Booth said. "Take Air Force Aid for example, an airman first class has a car and his engine blows. He can get an interest free grant that he can pay over the course of a year for a new engine, rather than buying a new car or a loan that has an interest rate."