Change ... for a dollar

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Jessica Brown
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  When a tornado rips through an Airman's home or they need to purchase an emergency plane ticket to attend a family funeral, one of the first things on their mind is how to pay for it.

Fortunately, the Air Force Assistance Fund is there to provide assistance if necessary.

The AFAF campaign is designed to raise funds to be specifically used by Airmen and their families during emergency situations. Funds raised during the campaign contribute to four agencies: the LeMay Foundation, the Air Force Village, the Air Force Enlisted Village and the Air Force Aid Society.

Donations made by McConnell AFB Airmen will go to AFAS.

The 2013 McConnell AFB AFAF campaign will run from Feb. 26 to April 9, 2013. The theme for this year's campaign is "Change ... for a dollar."

"This is the only campaign the Air Force organizes," said Capt. Mike Sadler, 344th Air Refueling Squadron pilot and the 2013 McConnell AFAF campaign president. "Its sole purpose is to take care of past, present and future Airmen and their families."

First Lt. Johnathan Yates, 384th ARS co-pilot, received assistance from AFAF when he was an airman basic.

"I had just arrived to my first base as a new Airman fresh out of tech school when I heard about a death in the family," said Yates. "I had no idea what to do. I had spent most of my pay to get to my first base. I had no one to turn to except my first sergeant."

Yates' first sergeant helped him file for assistance through AFAF and that every step of the process was transparent, said Yates.

"Because of my first sergeant and AFAF, I was able to be with my family," said Yates. "This organization helped when I needed it the most."

Some Airmen do not donate to AFAF because they believe they will never need the assistance, and Yates said he used to be one of them.

"I had heard about AFAF in basic training and I brushed it off because I felt like nothing bad would happen to me," said Yates. "But when it did, AFAF gave me the help I needed."

The AFAF helped Yates purchase an emergency plane ticket which allowed him to be with his family. The organization can also provide loans to assist with appliances and car care.

"The AFAF has what's known as the 'Falcon loan,' which was established to ensure our young Airmen are not tricked into taking out loans from fraudulent businesses," said Sadler. "It's not that you need an exorbitant amount of funds; it's the small things like getting your car belt replaced. AFAF helps provide our Airmen with a healthy outlet to get the help they deserve."

McConnell AFB leaders understand the magnitude of this campaign and stress how important it is for Airmen to take care of each other.

"Our Air Force active duty members, guardsmen, reservists, retirees and their family members have relied on this program for several decades," said Col. Ricky Rupp, 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander. "We are a total force family here at McConnell AFB, and this campaign is about Team McConnell helping those in need, just like we would our own family."

In 2012, McConnell Airmen received approximately $62.8 thousand in aid, with most of the funds going to emergency travel. This year, McConnell's AFAF goal is to make contact with 100 percent of base Airmen.

Contributions made to AFAF are tax deductible.

For more information about the charitable organizations and AFAF, visit www.afassistancefund.org.