Hanscom kicks off Air Force Assistance Fund campaign

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. C. Michaela Judge
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AFB, Mass. --  Editor's note: This article is the first in a series highlighting the Air Force Assistance Fund and the charities that it supports.

As members of the U.S. Air Force, Airmen are committed to supporting their fellow comrades and going above and beyond the call of duty to see others through difficult times.

Each year, the Air Force Assistance Fund provides Airmen the opportunity to continue that commitment of giving to others.

The fundraiser, which began here March 24 and runs through May 1, helps to combat unexpected challenges and to improve the quality of life for many servicemembers, both active duty and retired, who face hardships.

Through the campaign, the Air Force holds fundraisers to support 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.

"The Air Force Assistance Fund was established to provide for an annual effort to raise funds for the charitable affiliates that provide support to the Air Force family [active duty, retirees, reservists, guard and their dependents, including surviving spouses] in need," states the AFAF official Web site, www.afassistancefund.org.

The four charities help Air Force personnel in a variety of ways, to include aiding in emergencies, providing educational needs and helping to secure a retirement home for widows or widowers of Air Force members in need of financial assistance, according to the Web site.

"Our Air Force is a special family - and sometimes members of our family face seemingly insurmountable challenges. The AFAF is our opportunity to be part of the solution," said Col. Tom Schluckebier, 66th Air Base Wing commander.

This year's Installation Project Officers here are 2nd Lt. Karl Artis III, 66th Mission Support Squadron, and 2nd Lt. Kenneth Tanyi, Air Force Research Laboratory. In addition to the IPOs, each unit should have a Unit Project Officer, along with key workers for their respective groups and squadrons.

Hanscom's monetary goal for this year's campaign is $37,089. If that goal is met, and at least 50 percent of active-duty troops participate in the campaign by donating money, then the Hanscom community will be eligible to receive $2,500. The use of the funds awarded will be determined by the installation commander, Lieutenant Artis said.

"The AFAF is important simply because of whom it benefits -- our fellow Airmen. You never know what the future holds; there could be a time where you may need financial help as well. The AFAF helps lighten these burdens for military members by providing avenues for assistance," Lieutenant Artis said.

Throughout the campaign, there will be fundraisers run by individual wings, as well as an installation fundraiser.

"In addition to office contributions, there will also be donation boxes in various high-traffic areas, and an awareness rally to help kick off the campaign," the lieutenant said.

Airmen can also donate by payroll deduction or by cash or check, either throughout the year or all at once. Donations can be allocated for any charity that falls under AFAF. For those unsure of how much is appropriate to donate, the AFAF Web site offers a scale based on rank.

Those who wish to fill out their contribution online can visit the AFAF Web site and complete the form. Once completed, the form can be printed and turned into the individual's group or squadron key worker.

"I encourage the Hanscom Community to get involved in order to continue with our tradition of excellence and to demonstrate one of our core values -- Service Before Self. I would also like to personally challenge commanders to get their units involved. With leadership's support, influence and positive example, many great things can be accomplished," Lieutenant Artis said.

For more information on the organizations benefiting, visit their respective Web sites. For the Air Force Aid Society go online to www.afas.org; for the Air Force Village foundation go to www.airforcevillages.com; for the General and Mrs. Curtis LeMay Foundation go to www.lemayfoundation.org; and for the Air Force Enlisted Foundation go to www.afenlistedwidows.org.