Air Force Assistance Fund helps those in need

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Chad Strohmeyer
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  This year's Air Force Assistance Fund "You the Hero" campaign, runs through May 7 and provides Airmen the opportunity to contribute to any of the four official Air Force charitable organizations.

Now in its 37th year, 100 percent of designated AFAF contributions will benefit active-duty, Reserve, and Guard Airmen, retired Air Force members, surviving spouses and families. Last year, Airmen exceeded the campaign goal of $5.8 million as they contributed more than $7.3 million.

"This campaign is very important because it's military helping military," said Master Sgt. Marc Maschhoff, AFAF project officer. "Thousands of lives are affected by these programs, and it's great that we can give back to our service members."

People can contribute cash, check or money order or use payroll deduction 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.
Contact the Airman and Family Readiness center for full details on programs and eligibility requirements. Information also is available online at 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 rent subsidy and other support to indigent widows and widowers of retired enlisted people 55 and older. More information is available at 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 Village Web site is 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.lemay-foundation.org/.

Contributions to the AFAF are tax deductible. To find out more about how the Misawa community can contribute, contact your unit point of contact, or call Sergeant Maschhoff at 226-3544.