Air Force Assistance Fund campaign in full swing

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stefanie Torres
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Airmen still have a chance to contribute to the Air Force Assistance Fund campaign, which began April 21 and ends June 4.

This year's campaign, "Commitment to Caring," has a two-fold purpose at Misawa Air Base.

"We want to achieve our financial goals and have 100 percent face-to-face contact to allow everyone a chance to contribute," said Senior Master Sgt. Joseph Knowles, the AFAF project officer for Misawa.

The AFAF was created to provide financial help to support Air Force families, including active duty, retirees, Reserves, dependents and surviving spouses in times of need.

"The AFAF raises funds for the four Air Force charities; The Air Force Aid Society, the Air Force Villages Indignant Widow's Fund, the Air Force Enlisted Village Indigent Widow's Fund and the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation, each of which provides a form of aid and assistance to "the military family," said Sergeant Knowles.

Misawa Air Base has a 2008 goal of raising $48,000. Misawa's 2007 goal, which was essentially the same, was exceeded last year with more than $75,000 in total contributions.

In 2007 Misawa pledged $52,838 to the Air Force Aid Society last year, explained Sergeant Knowles.

"Yet at the same time, Misawa received over $225,000 in assistance too, which is more than a four to one return" he said.

Last year the Air Force exceeded the overall goal of $5.6 million with more than $7.2 million donated.

The Air Force Aid Society is also supporting the campaign by sponsoring prizes for those who donate.

"Each week, for people who donate $50 or more, they will have a chance to win a $50 AAFES gift certificate," said Sergeant Knowles. "At the end of the campaign, a grand prize drawing for a $250 AAFES certificate will be drawn from everyone who donated for a chance to win."

People can contribute cash, check, 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 Widow's 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 Widow's 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/, or contact your unit AFAF representative.