AFAF to kick off fund drive Monday

  • Published
  • By Capt. Laressa Wong
  • 436th Training Squadron, base AFAF project officer
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  What do the Air Force Aid Society, Air Force Village, Air Force Enlisted Village, and the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation have in common? They are all charitable organizations the annual Air Force Assistance Fund campaign helps raise money for in order to assist hundreds of thousands of Airmen Air Force-wide.

Starting Monday and lasting for six weeks, Dyess Airmen will have the opportunity to give back to and donate for needy Airmen via the AFAF fund drive.

Last year, Dyess collected more than $84,000 and exceeded its goal by collecting 103 percent. Team Dyess’ donations helped the Air Force raise $7.3 million.

This year, Dyess’ goal is to collect $80,000. All donations will go directly to the four charitable organizations which support Air Force active-duty, Reserve, guard members, retirees and dependents.

The first organization, Air Force Aid Society, is set up to support active-duty Air Force members. Through the family support center, the AFAS supports programs such as “Give Parents a Break,” “Bundles for Babies,” and “Phone Home.” In addition, emergency aid and loans are provided to Airmen in need of financial support for anything from medical support to car trouble to emergency travel. Last year, AFAS provided $434,000 in support initiatives to Dyess Airmen.

“(AFAS) is a vital part of the Air Force,” said Peggy Ross, base AFAS coordinator. “It’s a non-profit organization that is here only to benefit the Air Force.”

The other three organizations specifically support retirees, widows and widowers. The LeMay Foundation provides financial grants to indigent widows and widowers of officers and enlisted people so they may continue to live in their own homes. Grants may help cover food, rent and medical costs.

The Air Force Enlisted Village Indigent Widow’s Fund and Air Force Village Indigent Widow’s Fund provide financial aid to residents living in the Air Force villages. The organizations’ support allows residents to stay in the villages especially during financially difficult times.

The Air Force Enlisted Village, which is located in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is a retirement community for indigent widows and widowers of retired enlisted members. The community has more than 365 independent-living apartments and 65 assisted-living residences.

The Air Force Village, which is located in San Antonio, has two campuses that support a life-care community for retired officers, spouses, widows or widowers, and family members. The Air Force Village Indigent Widow’s Fund provided more than $900,000 in financial aid last year.

Each year, the campaign is a huge success. It’s based on the goodwill of Airmen looking to help each other out during hard times. This year’s campaign will be no different. Individuals and organizations may donate and host fundraising events to support AFAF.

For more information and to learn how to donate, Airmen may contact their AFAF representatives or the base AFAF project officers, Capt. Laressa Wong, 696-5523, and Capt. Jon Shaffer, 696-2781.

This year’s campaign runs through April 23.