AFAF wraps-up 2014 season

  • Published
  • By Jennifer Green-Lanchoney
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Team Hanscom has raised $24,551 in support of Air Force charities during this year's Air Force Assistance Fund campaign.

This year's campaign ran from March 24 through May 16.

"Although we did not meet the suggested base goal, all of the unit project officers worked diligently to make 100 percent contact and reach out to the Hanscom community to give them the opportunity to help a wingman," said Lt. Stephen Surjue, Hanscom AFAF installation project officer.

The AFAF campaign is an annual opportunity for servicemembers to contribute to charities that assist past and present Airmen and their families through unexpected challenges and financial hardships.

"This campaign highlights the perspective of taking care of our own--this is about family," Surjue said. "The generosity this year was amazing given the challenging times the Air Force is facing."

The AFAF focuses on four different charities: The Air Force Enlisted Village, The Air Force Village Foundation, The Air Force Aid Society and The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation.

A portion of the money raised is used to help Airmen at Hanscom, through the Air Force Aid Society. The organization provided more than $74,000 in aid to members of the Hanscom community in 2013. Locally, the AFAS helps to fund many programs run through the Airman and Family Readiness Center. These programs include: respite care, Give Parents a Break, child care for volunteers, child care for PCS, Car Care Because We Care and Bundles for Babies.

The AFAS also grants interest-free loans to those who experience unexpected emergencies and offers grants and scholarships to active duty personnel and their dependents.

For more information about the Air Force Assistance Fund and the charities it supports, visit www.afassistancefund.org.