Assistance-fund drive helps Airmen

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. C. Michaela Walrond
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Hanscom AFB --  Each year many Airmen, both retired and active duty, and their spouses, experience difficulties in life. To combat these unexpected challenges and improve the quality of life for many of them, the Air Force holds an annual fundraiser for four specific charities. Those charities are 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. 

"These organizations help Air Force personnel by aiding in an emergency, with educational needs, or to have a secure retirement home for widows or widowers of Air Force members in need of financial assistance." 

"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. Thomas Schluckebier, 66th Air Base Wing commander. 

The campaign, headed by Capt. Amanda Dietrich, 66 ABW executive officer, and assisted by 1st Lt. Leslie Bell, 551st Electronic Systems Wing, will officially begin March 26 and will run through May 6. 

Hanscom's monetary goal for this year's campaign is $34,508. If that goal is met, and if 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, Captain Dietrich said. 

Last year Hanscom reached their monetary goal with approximately 47 percent of personnel participating, the captain said. 

"I know Hanscom is very good at reaching goals, so reaching for that 50 percent participation goal will add to the challenge and make this a rewarding campaign," she said. 

"In the end we are supporting our Air Force family. This is something every Air Force member should donate to in order to ensure these charities can continue their much needed mission," Captain Dietrich said. 

Events are planned throughout the six-week giving period to help raise funds, besides the individual contributions. 

Contributions can be made during the annual AFAF fund drive to unit key workers or by payroll deduction, according to the AFAF Web site.

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 then scanned and faxed to (781) 377-6829, she 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 Enlisted Foundation go to www.afenlistedwidows.org; for the Air Force Village Foundation go to www.airforcevillages.com; and for the General and Mrs. Curtis LeMay Foundation go to www.lemayfoundation.org. 

First Lt. Martha Petersante-Gioia, 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs, contributed to this article.