McConnell encourages Airmen to help during 2018 AFAF

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Alan Ricker
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. – The 2018 Air Force Assistance Fund campaign kicked off at McConnell on March 26 and continues through May 4.

They have hosted already a base breakfast and bracket challenge, and will be hosting the campaign ending event on May 4. The goal for this year’s fundraising effort is set at $46,000 and the campaign has successfully raised $11,000.

“Any or all money that goes to AFAF will come back to an Airman, whether it be retired or currently serving,” said Master Sgt. John Tremblay, 2018 AFAF assistant installation project officer. “It’s Airmen helping Airmen.”

Tremblay explained that anyone can participate. Active-duty, guard, reserve and civilians are able to donate. Donations can be made by cash and pay-roll deduction when filling out a pledge form. The deduction from the pay-roll can only be made by active-duty and retirees.

The AFAF supports four charities, which raise money to support Air Force members, immediate family members and veterans. The Air Force Aid Society, Air Force Enlisted Village, Air Force Villages Charitable Foundations and the General and Mrs. Curtis R. LeMay Foundation are the supported charities.

“All the money will be split up equally and will be given to all four [foundations],” said Capt. Chelsie Fowler, 2018 AFAF installation project officer.

The 2018 AFAF kicked off with a McConnell AFAF Sweet 16 playoff bracket challenge. The event was free to participate in, but there was a voluntary buy-in of $5. The entire monetary contribution was applied to McConnell’s AFAF goal and the winner of the bracket competition was presented with a gift card at a breakfast event on April 9.

A breakfast with the wing commander gave McConnell Airmen an opportunity to commune together while eating all-you-can-eat pancakes and pledging donations for the AFAF campaign.

Groups and units are able to plan extra events that could help McConnell reach it’s goal for the 2018 AFAF campaign. The 22nd Mission Support Group put together a bake sale after the pancake breakfast and made an estimated $100 from baked goods.

The campaign ending event is scheduled for May 4 at the Signatures Lounge. Members from Team McConnell will come together to eat tacos, celebrate the closing of the campaign and make any last donations towards a charity of their choice.

“It’s taking care of our own,” said Fowler. “We function as a base and if we take care of our own, then it creates a stronger bond between all of us. That’s why I give.”

The Air Force Enlisted Village supports the Bob Hope Village in Shalimar, Florida, near Eglin Air Force Base. The fund provides homes and financial assistance to retired enlisted members' surviving spouses who are 55 years and older. It also supports Hawthorn House, also in Shalimar, which provides assisted living and memory care for residents, including limited nursing services when needed.

The Air Force Aid Society provides Total Force Airmen and their families worldwide with emergency financial assistance, educational support and various base-level community enhancement programs.

The Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation supports independent assisted living and memory and nursing care for retired officers and their spouses, surviving spouses and family members.

The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation provides monetary grants for rent and other purposes to surviving spouses of officer and enlisted retirees. One-time payments are provided to help with unexpected expenses and monthly assistance to help surviving spouses remain in their homes.

For more AFAF information, visit www.afassistancefund.org.