Air Force Assistance Fund kicks off March 17

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jamie L. Coggan
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
The Air Force Assistance Fund, a fund that benefits active duty, reserve, guard, retirees, surviving spouses and families, kicks off March 17 and will run through April 25.

The 355th Fighter Wing's goal this year is to raise $102,000.

"This is an important fund to donate to because the money comes back to help our Airmen," said 2nd Lt. Michael Hargett, the installation project officer for AFAF.

People can contribute cash, check or money orders or use payroll deduction to donate to any of the four funds, which include:

· The Air Force Aid Society, which provide Airmen and their families with worldwide emergency financial assistance, education assistance and an array of base-level community-enhancement programs.

· The Air Force Enlisted Village Indigent Widows' Fund, which supports the Air Force Village in Shalimar, Fla., near Eglin Air Force Base. The fund provides rent subsidy and other support to indigent widows and widowers of retired enlisted members ages 55 years and older.

· The Air Force Villages Indigent Widow's Fund, which supports the Air Force Village in San Antonio, a life-care community for retired officers, spouses, widows or widowers, and family members.

· The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation, which provides rent and financial assistance to indigent widows and widowers of officers and enlisted members in their own homes and communities.

According to the AFAF official Web site, the AFAF was established to provide for an annual effort to raise funds for the charitable affiliates that provide support to Air Force families (active duty, retirees, reservists, guard and their dependents, including surviving spouses) in need.

The Airman and Family Readiness Center has full details on programs and eligibility requirements. Contributions to the AFAF are tax deductible. For more information, visit afassistancefund.org/

Below are the AFAF representatives for each unit on base:

355 Fighter Wing
SSgt Sarah Peterson JA 228-5226
TSgt Jason Gall CP 228-0430
Capt Stacie Shafran PA 228-3398
Mrs. Janice Meindl JA 228-3168
SrA Jacquese Smith CPTS 228-5819

355 Maintenance Group 
SMSgt Kristofer Clark 355 MXG 228-3691
Capt Anthony Vieir 355 AMXS 228-6861
TSgt Judsen T. Labenne 355 CMS 228-5561
MSgt Holly Jensen 355 EMS 228-8274
SSgt Zenobia Dukes 355 MOS 228-5017

355 Operations Group
Maj Tonnee Tonnesen 355 OG 228-6513
Capt. Ryan Cleveland 354 Fighter Sq 228-4788

355 Mission Support Group
SMSgt Todd Stalzer 355 MSG Rep 228-6560
SMSgt Irene Spear 355 Civil Engineer Sq 228-5455
LT Adam Bliss 355 Communication Sq 228-6635
SSgt Nonya Trower 355 Contracting Sq 228-2216
MSgt Robert L. Richardson 355 Security Forces Sq 228-3200

355 Medical Group
A1C Christina LaRiccia 355 MDG 228-1552
MSgt James Demarah 355 AMDS 228-2294
TSgt Dana Bice 355 DS 228-2646
SSgt Laura Walker 355 DS (ALT) 228-2652
SrA Becky Hazel 355 MDOS 228-4626
SSgt Gabriela Gonzalez 355 MDSS 228-2874

12 Air Force
TSgt Julie Cline DET 3 /ACC TRSS 228-1637
TSgt Cory Staudinger Det 11/ 372 TRS 228-4849

943rd Rescue Group
Capt Aaron C. Milner 943 Rescue Group 228-7354

55th ECG
SSgt Ben Miller 55 ECG 228-9837
TSgt Vernon Lawrence 755 AMXS 228-9724
TSgt Justin Moody 755 AMXS 228-9553
Capt Michael Dow 755 OSS 228-9060
TSgt Angela James 43 ECS 228-9723
LT Ryan Dombrock 25 Operational Weather 228-7553

563rd RQG
Capt Robert Williams 79 RQS 228-7979
SSgt Jeffery Waldrop 55 RQG 228-0377
Capt Steven Graves 48 RQS 228-4848
1st LT Richard Barnes 563 OSS 228-9142

306 AMARG
Capt Grady Stephens 306 AMARG 228-8239
SMSgt Geoffrey Millard 306 AMARG (ALT) 228-8444
MSgt Carla Casem 214 RG 228-1443
SMSgt Ruel Rafi 612 ACOMS 228-3953