AFAF campaign starts March 21

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  The 2016 Air Force Assistance Fund Campaign will take place here March 21 through April 29. The goal for this year's Hanscom campaign is $39,552.

The AFAF is an Air Force-wide annual fundraising campaign to assist past and present Airmen and their families through unexpected challenges and financial hardships through four charities: The Air Force Aid Society, General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation, Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation and the Air Force Enlisted Village.

"Contributing to the Air Force Assistance Fund helps ensure assistance can be provided to members of the Air Force family during times of need," said Master Sgt. Ross Weatherford, Hanscom's installation project officer for this year's campaign. "The focus this year is not for Airmen to give more, but, that more Airmen give something."

The Air Force Assistance Fund website, www.afassistancefund.org, features information about all of the affiliate charities, videos, assistance stories and frequently asked questions. Everyone is encouraged to visit the site and learn more about how donations help the Air Force family.

According to organizers, donations made through this website will not count toward the installation's campaign goal. Weatherford encourages anyone interested in making a donation to do so through him or Robert Gallagher, Hanscom's AFAF assistant installation project officer.

"Whether active duty, retired, officer, or enlisted, the Air Force Assistance Fund is there for all Airmen," said Gallagher.

Air Force personnel can only seek on-the-job donations from active duty members and military retirees. However, contributions from civilians, local charities and contractors are welcomed.

As is the case during the Combined Federal Campaign, fundraising activities on the installation are reduced significantly during the AFAF period. This can affect private organizations, or others that may be planning fundraising events or hosting unofficial activities. Specific questions regarding proposed fundraisers should be raised through Jennifer Wilson, 66th Force Support Squadron installation private organization manager, at 781-225-1373.

The four AFAF charities help Air Force active duty, retirees, Reserve and Air National Guard members in a variety of ways, to include aiding in emergencies, providing educational needs and helping secure a retirement home for Air Force widows or widowers in need of financial assistance.

Air Force Aid Society

The Air Force Aid Society was founded as a relief organization in 1942 by Army Air Force personnel, including General Henry H. "Hap" Arnold, who wanted to take care of their own, and has been helping Airmen through difficult times ever since.

According to the Airman and Family Readiness Center, last year more than $70,000 in Air Force emergency assistance, community outreach and education grants were provided to Airmen and their families at Hanscom. Based on an AFAS fact sheet, the society assisted Airmen with $8.1 million in assistance in 2015 Air Force-wide.

The AFAS helps to fund programs run through Hanscom's AFRC such as respite care, Give Parents a Break, child care for volunteers, child care for permanent change of station, Car Care Because We Care and Bundles for Babies.

General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation

General Curtis E. LeMay and his wife, Helen, began their foundation, which provides for the needs of military widows across the nation, in 1987.

The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation provides financial aid to widowed spouses of Air Force personnel of all ranks who are in need of assistance, states the organization's website www.lemay-foundation.org. The foundation uses grants to provide assistance for rent, utilities, food, some health care and other needs that may strain a widow's budget.

The foundation understands that military spouses "spend much of their lives coping with the difficulties of military life and supporting their spouses through years of active duty. Military spouses are entitled to a decent standard of living, entitled to live with dignity, and entitled to be proud of their service."

Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation

The Air Force Village in San Antonio, known today as Blue Skies of Texas, has been providing a core charitable mission to care for retired Air Force officers' widowed spouses in need of financial help for nearly 50 years.

Through this charity, Air Force widowed spouses are provided a dignified, comfortable and affordable retirement community.

Two retirement communities offer independent living, skilled nursing, wellness clinics, home health care services, assisted living facilities and access to health care centers.

Air Force Enlisted Village

The Air Force Enlisted Village was founded in 1967 by a group of active duty and retired Air Force noncommissioned officers, with the assistance of former Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. and Mrs. John D. Ryan.

The foundation's mission is providing financial assistance and housing to surviving spouses of Air Force enlisted members who are left without the opportunity for careers, home equities, retirement plans or any significant assets, according to the foundation's website at www.afenlistedwidows.org. 

The Air Force Enlisted Village consists of two separate living facilities, Teresa Village and Bob Hope Village, located in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and Shalimar, Fla., respectively. The villages include apartments, community centers, chapels, outdoor gardens and other amenities. The Bob Hope Village includes the Hawthorn House, a 64-apartment assisted living facility.

For additional information on making a donation, contact Weatherford at 781-225-6131 or Gallagher at 781-225-0687.