AFAF charity spotlight: AFVF assists officers’ widows

  • Published
  • By Sarah Olaciregui
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  The Air Force Assistance Fund, running now through May 6, is a way for Air Force members to help their own in times of need. To date, Hanscom has raised $8,349 toward the goal of $21,157.

There are four main charities supported by the AFAF. This week's spotlight is the Air Force Village Foundation.

Charity Spotlight: Air Force Village Foundation
The Air Force Village Foundation was established in 1964 by members of the Air Force Officers' Wives' Club and Air Force leaders who wanted to offer housing and financial assistance to retired Air Force officers' widows in need. Today, the Air Force Village Foundation still provides an appropriate and cost-effective retirement community for the widows of retired Air Force officers, according to the website, www.airforcevillages.com.

Air Force Villages are located San Antonio. The first, Air Force Village I, has home and apartment options, from mid- and high-rise to cottages and urban style apartments. Residents are able to enjoy dining options, fitness center, hobby shop, library and more. The second AFVF location, Air Force Village II, has tower apartments, cottages and new ranch-style homes.

Another facility is the Freedom House, a facility specifically designed to care for people suffering from Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia. Freedom House Phase III opened in 2008, and brings the highest quality hospice and bereavement care to patients and their families, according to the website.

In addition, Air Force Villages residents enjoy the benefits of being located near Lackland AFB, Texas, and premier medical facilities.

The Air Force Village Foundation prides itself in never turning away a qualified widow because she is unable to pay, according to the organization's bylaws. This standard is made possible through the support of Air Force spouses' organizations, the Air Force Assistance Fund and other foundations and corporations.

For more information visit the AFVF website, e-mail info@airforcevillages.com or call (800) 724-5771.

Contributions:
Those who wish to contribute to AFAF should contact their unit point of contact, listed below, or visit the AFAF website, www.afassistancefund.org, and complete the contribution form.

Hanscom AFAF installation project officers:
1st Lt. Cameron Linder: 781-377-1538
Master Sgt. Richard Olivarez: 781-377-5297

Unit project officers:
Electronic Systems Center staff: Airman 1st Class Yasmin Gee
C2ISR Directorate: Capt. Warren Anderson
ESC/HSG: Samantha Welch and Matthew Ambrose
ESC/HIS: 2nd Lt. Frank Vicari
ESC/HSJ: 1st Lt. Gary Priest and 1st Lt David Frisbey
ESC/HSN: 1st Lt. Christopher Monson and 1st Lt. Michael Bolton
ESC/HSS: 1st Lt. Meghan Lansford
ESC/PK: William Robinson and Capt. Axel Clark
ESC/HNA: 2nd Lt. Michael Pond and 2nd Lt. Joseph Calidonna
ESC/HNI: Charles Gisondi
ESC/HNS: 1st Lt. Troy Novak
ESC/HBA: Capt. Paul Lienhard
ESC/FM: Capt. Catherine O'Donnel
ESC/HGBC: Capt. Stephen Kalinowski
Band of Liberty: Airman 1st Class Rachel Maclary
66 ABG: 2nd Lt. Brent Olson and Staff Sgt. Julius Stokes
66 MDS: Capt. Stela Striligas and Susan Cascalheira