Air Force Assistance Fund kicks off

  • Published
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The 2009 Air Force Assistance Fund campaign has now started and will last until April 18.

Last year, Dyess Airmen received more than $459,434 thru the Air Force Assistance Fund. Now in its 36th year, 100 percent of designated Air Force Assistance Fund contributions benefit active-duty, Reserve, Guard, retired Air Force people, surviving spouses and families.

"The AFAF has a long tradition of providing critical assistance to members of our Air Force family," said Capt Rodney Heard, Dyess Installation Project Officer. "Whether they become victims of natural disasters or endure the personal hardships of deployments, accidents, illness, aging or death, these charities are there to provide fast and reliable help."

People can contribute cash, check or money order or use payroll deductions 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 is also available at http://www.afas.org/.

-- The Air Force Enlisted Village Indigent Widows' Fund, which supports the Air Force Village in Shalimar, Fla., near Eglin Air Force Base. The fund provides homes and financial assistance to indigent widows and widowers of retired enlisted people 55 and older. More information is available at http://www.afenlistedwidows.org.

-- The Air Force Villages Indigent Widows' Fund, which 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 Villages Web site is http://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 http://www.afvw.com/lemay.html.

Contributions to the AFAF are tax deductible. For more information, visit the Air Force Assistance Fund's Web site at http://afassistancefund.org/.