Air Force Assistance Fund: There is still time to contribute

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Dilia Ayala
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  The Air Force Assistance Fund's "Commitment to Caring" campaign here is winding down week five of the eight-week campaign.

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 in need.

Currently, Team Whiteman has met 66 percent of its monetary goal and has a 15 percent participation rate.

"As the end of the AFAF draws near, I encourage Team Whiteman to lend a helping hand to meet not only our local goal, but the Air Force's goal," said Capt. Jason Mayne, Whiteman AFAF representative. "As of April 15, The Air Force is $2.2 million short of its $5.7 million goal. Team Whiteman still has time to help."

"As Airmen it is our duty to be good Wingmen, the AFAF provides a great avenue for us to do just that and give back to our own when they are faced with unexpected challenges," he added. "The AFAF is one of the most generous organizations around. It is in its 35th year, and 100-percent of designated AFAF contributions benefit active-duty, Reserve, Guard, retired Air Force people, surviving spouses and families. By donating to this worthwhile program, we ultimately help our own."

For every $1 donated here, Whiteman receives $4 in return to use here, the captain said. Last year, the base received $217,105 in Air Force Aid, which provided aid directly to Whiteman Airmen.

Through the campaign, the Air Force supports four specific charities: the Air Force Aid Society, the Air Force Village Foundation, the General and Mrs. Curtis LeMay Foundation and the Air Force Enlisted Village. Each charity helps Airmen in the following way:

- The Air Force Aid Society 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 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 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 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/ or contact your unit AFAF representative.