AFAF begins March 26

Published March 9, 2012
By Senior Airman Alyssa C. Wallace
366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- The 2012 Air Force Assistance Fund Campaign is scheduled for March 26 through May 4.

This year, MHAFB's job is to make 100 percent contact with all active-duty Gunfighters and its goal is to achieve at least 50 percent participation and raise more than $61,000.

AFAF installation representative Capt. Wade Appel, 366th Equipment Maintenance Squadron maintenance flight officer-in-charge, believes Mountain Home Airmen could go above and beyond during this year's campaign, especially with the implementation of a new electronic donation form. The new initiative mirrors its paper form and helps all Gunfighters donate to the fund as it can be emailed to MHAFB personnel who are deployed or on a temporary duty assignment.

"If everyone could contribute $2 a month, we would crush our monetary goal and shock the entire Air Force, which averages participation of 19.67 percent," he said. "You will never notice $2 a month, but the airmen who receive assistance will. All Airmen should consider donating because all monies go directly to helping our Air Force family."

According to the campaign's Web site, www.afassistancefund.org, the AFAF was established to provide for an annual effort to raise funds for the charitable affiliates that provide support to the Air Force family - active duty, retirees, reservists, guard and their dependents, including surviving spouses. The organizations provide assistance to the Air Force family in the form of aid in emergency, educational needs, or to have a secure retirement home for widows or widowers of Air Force members in need of financial assistance.

"The annual AFAF campaign is used to raise funds for four charities - the Air Force Enlisted Village, the Air Force Village, the LeMay Foundation and the Air Force Aid Society," the captain said. "All of these charities focus on taking care of the Air Force members and their families."

First, the Air Force Enlisted Village Fund, at www.afenlistedwidows.org, provides rent subsidy and other support to indigent widows and widowers of retired enlisted people 55 and older.

Second, the Air Force Village Fund, at www.airforcevillages.com, supports the Air Force Village in San Antonio, a life-care community for retired officers, spouses, widows or widowers and family members.

Next, the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation, at www.afvw.com/lemay.html, provides rent and financial assistance to indigent widows and widowers of officers and enlisted people in their own homes and communities.

Finally, the AFAS is the official charity of the Air Force and provides Airmen and their families with worldwide emergency financial assistance, education assistance and an array of base level community-enhancement programs.

In 2011 MHAFB reached more than 95 percent of its goal in raising more than $64,000 in support of the AFAF. In turn, the base received more than $89,000 through 226 grants and loans.

AFAF 2007 campaign begins Feb. 12

AFAF begins March 26

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