Air Force Assistance Fund campaign running strong

  • Published
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  This year's Air Force Assistance Fund "Commitment to Caring" campaign began Feb. 12 and will run through May 4. The AFAF provides Airmen the opportunity to contribute to any of the four official Air Force charitable organizations.

Now, in its 34th year, 100 percent of designated AFAF contributions will benefit active-duty, Reserve, Guard, retired Air Force people, surviving spouses and families. Last year, Airmen exceeded the campaign goal as they contributed more than $7.33 million.

People can contribute cash, check or money order or use payroll deduction for:

-- The Air Force Aid Society, which provides Airmen and their families with worldwide emergency financial assistance, education assistance and an array of base level community-enhancement programs. Base staff members at airman and family readiness centers have full details on programs and eligibility requirements. Information also is 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.

Contributions to the AFAF are tax deductible. For more information, visit the Air Force Assistance Fund Web site or the Air Force Personnel Center's Voting and Fundraising Web site.

Installation project officers have information on local procedures and goals.

McConnell's AFAF project officer is Capt. Melissa Pammer, who oversees the 22nd Air Refueling Wing AFAF group representatives. For information on local AFAF procedures and goals, Team McConnell members should call their respective group representatives.

The 22nd ARW AFAF group representatives are:

Directorate of Staff: Senior Airman Shawn Stewart at 759-4623.

Operations Group: 1st Lt. Michael Deprey at 759-6435.

Maintenance Group: 1st Lt. Angela Huegel at 759-6872.

Mission Support Group: Capt. Steve Esposito at 759-3122.

Medical Group: Capt. Patrice Davis at 759-5071. 

McConnell held a 5K run Mar. 16 during the monthly wing run to raise funds for the AFAF. The following were winners in their respective categories:

Females under age 30 - Airman 1st Class Kyle Mills, 22nd Medical Support Squadron

Females 30 and over - Capt. Melissa Pammer, 22nd Medical Support Squadron

Males under age 30 - Staff Sgt. Adrian Arzate, 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron

Males 30 and over - Capt. Roger Lee 22nd Aeromedical-Dental Squadron