AFAF extends to Air Force family

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Abigail Klein
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing public affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE, Kan. --  During any servicemember's life, a crisis may arise unexpectedly that is not only mentally and physically challenging, but financially challenging as well.

Fortunately, due to Air Force Assistance Fund, 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 37th year, will run from March 15 to April 23 at McConnell. The theme for this year is, "Contributing to Your Own Cause."

With a goal set at $49,062, the proceeds have more of an impression than what many McConnell member see, according to Master Sgt. Jerod Norden, 350th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator and 22nd Air Refueling Wing AFAF point of contact.

"The money donated [to the AFAF] is unique from other Air Force charities because it's focused on taking care of people," he said. "Airmen who donate are able to see the impact their donations can have on the people who receive them."

One McConnell spouse who has benefited from contributions to the AFAF is Victoria.

Victoria learned about the Air Force Aid Society, one of four charity programs within AFAF that provides Airmen and their families worldwide with emergency financial assistance, education assistance and an array of base-level community-enhancement programs, at the base Airman and Family Readiness Center.

"The [Air Force Aid Society] provided us with plane tickets to allow my parents to come here during a family emergency," she said. "It really helped out and because the program reached out to help me, it in turn helped me to reach out more to the Air Force."

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.

-- 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.