AFAF lets Airmen help Airmen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Abigail Klein
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Though Airman are trained to overcome almost any challenge, a crisis may arise unexpectedly that is not only mentally and physically challenging, but financially challenging as well.

Fortunately, the Air Force Assistance Fund helps any active-duty, Reserve and Guard Airmen, retired Air Force members, surviving spouses and families who may be struggling can receive financial assistance.

The annual campaign for the AFAF, now in its 38th year, will run from March 7 to April 15 at McConnell. The AFAF kick-off breakfast is scheduled March 7, 2011, at 7 a.m. at the base chapel.

The theme for this year is, "Contributing to Your Own Cause."

"Our motto spells it out; there are charity funds out there that are great but they don't necessarily affect people around you," said Capt. Travis Fugler, 22nd Maintenance Operations Squadron KC-135 Aircraft commander and the AFAF kick-off event point of contact. "AFAF is different because it provides direct support to active duty, Guard, Reserve, dependents and retirees; this definitely hits home."

With a potential goal set at $100,000, the proceeds have more of an impression than what many McConnell members see. In 2010, the wing raised more than $65,000.

"The focus of the campaign is for 100 percent of McConnell personnel to have the opportunity to contribute - essentially Airmen helping Airmen," says Captain Joseph Lett, 22nd Force Support Squadron Manpower and Personnel Flight Commander and Installation Project Officer for AFAF. "The Airmen who donate will at some point see the impact their donations can have on the people who receive them."

The 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander couldn't agree more.

"Whether they donate a little or a lot, Team McConnell can make an incredible difference," said Col. Jamie Crowhurst, 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander. "Though the monetary goal is $100,000, the real goal is improving someone's life."

Airmen who choose to donate to the AFAF can give through unit key workers during the campaign drive. Donations can be made by cash, check or money order or through payroll deductions for the following four official Air Force charitable organizations:

-- The Air Force Enlisted Village, which includes Teresa Village in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. and Bob Hope Village in Shalimar, Fla., near Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The fund provides homes and financial assistance to widows and widowers whose spouses retired from enlisted service at 55 years and older. Hawthorn House, also in Shalimar, provides assisted living for residents requiring more assistance than others, including 24-hour nursing care. More information is available at www.afenlistedwidows.org.

-- The Air Force Aid Society, which provides Airmen and their families worldwide with emergency financial assistance, education assistance and an array of base-level community-enhancement programs. More information is available at www.afas.org.

-- The Air Force Village, which includes Air Force Village I and II in San Antonio, a life-care community for retired officers, spouses, widows or widowers and family members. The Air Force Village Web site is www.airforcevillages.com.

-- The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation, which provides rent and financial assistance to widows and widowers of officer and enlisted retirees in their homes and communities through financial grants of assistance. The LeMay Foundation Web site is www.lemay-foundation.org.

More than 95 percent of contributed funds go directly to the AFAF mission of helping Air Force families.

For more information about the AFAF affiliate organizations or the AFAF campaign, visit www.afassistancefund.org.