AFAF kicks off March 24

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  The Air Force Assistance Fund, or AFAF, is a fundraising campaign to assist past and present Airmen and their families through unexpected challenges and financial hardships through four charities.

This year's campaign is scheduled to run March 24 through May 2.

The theme for this year's campaign is "Commitment to Caring" and the base's monetary goal is $38,835.

"This campaign is special as it provides Airmen the opportunity to be wingman by directly helping fellow Airmen who may fall into a time of need," said 1st Lt. Stephen Surjue, Hanscom AFAF installation project officer. "Donating to the Air Force Assistance Fund is one of the ways we can show support to our Air Force family, and we can be Airmen helping Airmen."

The AFAF benefits four charities: the Air Force Aid Society, the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation, the Air Force Village Foundation and the Air Force Enlisted Village. The four 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 $17.4 million in assistance in 2013 Air Force-wide.

The AFAS helps to fund programs run through the Hanscom Airman and Family Readiness Center. These programs include: 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 Village Foundation
In 1964, the Air Force Officers' Wives' Club and Air Force leaders formed the Air Force Village Foundation in San Antonio, Texas to help with the housing and financial necessities of retired Air Force officers' widows in need.

According to the organization's website, www.afvillages.org, the Air Force Village recognizes the need to provide a dignified, comfortable and affordable retirement community for the widowed spouses of retired Air Force officers who are left without any means of financial support or stability.

Two retirement communities offer independent apartments, 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.

"Temporary housing is also available to spouses of enlisted members who die or who are killed on active duty. Adult dependents -- typically parents of active-duty members or their spouses -- are eligible for permanent housing on a space-available basis," the website states.

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.

Those who wish to contribute to AFAF can visit the AFAF website, www.afassistancefund.org, and complete the contribution form.

For additional information on making a donation, contact 1st Lt. Stephen Surjue at 781-225-4564 or Master Sgt. William Alexander at 781-225-4566.