WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- The Air Force Assistance Fund campaign is kicks off March 23 and runs through May 1 at Whiteman Air Force Base to raises money for four charities that directly support Air Force families.
"This program truly benefits the Air Force family here," said Capt. Anthony Davis, 509th Medical Operations Squadron and AFAF project officer. "We hope everyone is able to participate this year so that the benefits will continue to be felt by our Airmen and their families when they need it most."
The charities are: Air Force Aid Society, the General & Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation, the Air Force Village Indigent Foundation, Inc., and the Air Force Enlisted Village, Inc.
The campaign goals this year are to contact 100 percent with 50 percent participation and to raise $54,983. When the monetary and participation goals are met, the base will receive $2,500 from AFAF that the wing commander can use to benefit the Whiteman community.
Many people receive benefits from AFAS but don't know it. Many community enhancement programs are possible through funds from AFAS, such as: Bundles for Babies, Phone Home Program, Car Care and Give Parents a Break.
There are several more programs which help support Whiteman families. In 2008, Whiteman Airmen donated more than $45,000 toward the AFAS but received more than $195,000 in financial loans and grants.
Across the Air Force, the AFAS provided $13.7 million in emergency assistance, $8 million in education programs and $2.6 million for Community Enhancement Programs.
In addition to the AFAS, there are three other charities that are important to Air Force Families. The other three charities are:
The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation helps widows of all Air Force retirees, both officer and enlisted, through financial grants of assistance. For more information go to www.lemay-foundation.org.
The Air Force Village Foundation provides a retirement home for honorably separated military officers from all branches of the military, spouses, widows widowers and other eligible dependents. For more information go to www.airforcevillages.com.
The Air Force Enlisted Village provides a safe, secure and comfortable place to any surviving spouse of a career enlisted service member. For more information go to www.afenlistedwidows.org.
Unit points-of-contact can provide additional information regarding all of these charities. Donations can be made by cash, check or payroll deduction.
Captain Davis is the 509th Bomb Wing point-of-contact for AFAF. For more information call 687-4308 or your unit POC.