AFAF offers service members opportunity to lend support Published April 8, 2010 By Meredith March 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- The Air Force Assistance Fund campaign offers servicemembers an opportunity to lend support to fellow Airmen who stand in need. As of March 30, members of the Hanscom community had donated more than $20,900 in support of the AFAF campaign, which began here March 8. Hanscom donations have reached nearly 54 percent of the base's $38,999 goal. The Air Force Assistance Fund campaign, which will continue on Hanscom through April 16, benefits four charities committed to supporting Airmen and their families through difficult times. Two of these charities are the Air Force Aid Society and the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation. Charity spotlight: Air Force Aid Society The Air Force Aid Society helps fund community support programs and provides loans and college scholarships for qualifying servicemembers and their dependents. The AFAS was founded in 1942 by Army Air Force personnel who wanted to help fellow Airmen through their struggles. In 2008, the organization, which is headquartered in Washington, D.C., helped provide 45,000 members Air Force-wide with a total of $24.3 million in aid, according to the Air Force Aid Society's Web site at www.afas.org. How AFAS helps Hanscom Locally, the AFAS helps to fund many programs run through the Airman and Family Readiness Center. AFAS has provided Hanscom with funds for the following community-based programs: respite care, Give Parents a Break, child care for volunteers, child care for PCS, Car Care Because We Care, Phone Home and Bundles for Babies. The AFAS also grants interest-free loans to those who experience unexpected emergencies. Additionally, the organization offers grants and scholarships to active-duty personnel and their dependants. In 2008, Hanscom family members received $36,000 in college grant money. AFAS provided Hanscom's military personnel and their family members with $90,141 in loans, grants and educational support and community needs programs in 2008. For more information on the AFAS supported A&FRC programs, call the A&FRC at (781) 377-4222. Charity spotlight: General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation The Air Force Assistance Fund is the main source of support for the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation, established by the general and his wife, Helen, in 1987. The foundation provides for the needs of Air Force retirees' widows across the United States. General LeMay once said, "If there is going to be change for the better in this world, you have to provide it by doing something." With the aid of his wife, this same attitude and drive led to the creation of the foundation, which offers grants to provide widows of Air Force retirees of all ranks with assistance for rent, utilities, household repairs, food and some health care. The foundation was based on the concept that these widows "spent much of their lives coping with the difficulties of military life and supporting their spouses through years of active duty," states the organization's Web site, located at www.lemay-foundation.org. "Military spouses are entitled to a decent standard of living, entitled to live with dignity and entitled to be proud of their service." Hanscom Fundraisers 66th Air Base Wing Bowling Fundraiser Members of the Hanscom community can bowl to benefit the AFAF on April 8 at Hanscom Lanes from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Participants can bowl for $10, which includes pizza and soda. For more information call 2nd Lt. Matthew Frebert at (781) 377-0318 or 1st Lt. Holly Chernushin at (781) 377-9684. Racquetball Fundraiser Hanscom's first AFAF Recreational Racquetball Tournament Fundraiser will be held from April 12 to 15, from 3 to 6 p.m. There will be male and female singles categories, as well as mixed doubles with single elimination -- best 2 of 3 or time. Participants should sign up by close of business on April 6. Cost is $10 for singles players and $20 for doubles. Proceeds are donated to the Air Force Assistance Fund. Call 1st Lt. Dave Knox at (781) 377-4755 or 2nd Lt. Greg Ferry at (781) 377-0866 to enter. Registration forms will also be available at the fitness center. Brackets will be posted by close of business on April 7.