McConnell AFAF to kick off

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jessica Lockoski
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  The Air Force Assistance Fund campaign is scheduled to begin at McConnell March 24 and last through May 2. The theme for this year's AFAF campaign is "Commitment to Caring." 

With this years base amount goal set at $39,644, the proceeds will have more impact than what McConnell members may see by passing by the goal board sign posted at the front gate. 

In 2007, the total direct assistance to Air Force members and families totaled $19.1 million with more than 35,000 people helped. 

"Last year, Team McConnell raised more than $42,600, but received more than $101,000 in benefits," said Maj. Edward Sekerak, wing AFAF Campaign Officer. "With the amount raised, the funding will go to charitable affiliates which have and continue to directly impact Air Force families in financial need, especially here at McConnell." 

Funds raised will go to four Air Force organizations: 

The Air Force Aid Society, which provides Airman and their families with worldwide emergency financial assistance, education assistance and an array of base-level community enhancement programs. Aid can be given for purposes such as food, rent and utilities, and certain medical and dental care. The Airman and Family Readiness Center has details on programs available such as; Give Parents a Break, Bundles for Babies, Car Care and more. Information is also available online at www.afas.org. 

The Air Force Enlisted Village Indigent Widows' Fund 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 people 55 and older. More information is available at www.afenlistedwidows.org. 

The Air Force Villages Indigent Widows' Fund supports the Air Force Village 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 indigent widows and widowers of officers and enlisted people in their own homes and communities. The LeMay Foundation Web site is www.afvw.com/lemay.html. 


For one McConnell member, the Air Force Aid Society reached out when hope for financial security seemed at a loss. The Airman shared how the organization gave hope in a time of need. 

"Several years back, I was newly divorced and a single parent of two children," the Airman said. 

"I wasn't receiving child support and received military orders to move across the United States." 

I wasn't prepared to move, and didn't understand the bills I was about to occur. Lodging costs were adding up and I though the debt would be taken out of my Basic Housing Allowance. It wasn't. 

On top of daycare and the necessity to purchase a vehicle, I was consumed will bills and didn't know what to do. 

Then, my First Sergeant took me to the AFRC where I enrolled in financial counseling and I learned to balance my debt with my military pay. Still financially overwhelmed, I learned about the Air Force Aid Society. 

Depending on my ability to pay the AFAS back, they could give me a loan. Only 15 minutes later they gave me a grant to help me with my finances and I didn't need to pay them back. 

Every year since then, I donate to AFAF. I have given them five times the amount I received, but I feel that I will never be able to pay them back enough. 

There are two ways that you can contribute to this year's campaign. First, you can get an AF FORM 2561 from your unit's AFAF Project Officer to set up a Payroll Deduction Plan. They will have charts for percentages based on salary as well. The second way is by a one time cash or check donation. Forms may be downloaded at www.afassistancefund.org. 

"Let's come together, exceed our goal and show that Team McConnell leads," the major said. "We make a living by what we get, but we can make a life by what we give."