JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- The 2018 Air Force Assistance Fund campaign will kick off March 26 and run until May 4, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.
The AFAF campaign is an annual on-the-job fundraising drive among Air Force personnel for the benefit of Air Force personnel. Contributions provide financial support to four AFAF affiliates: the Air Force Aid Society, the Air Force Village, the Air Force Enlisted Village and the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation.
“The AFAF is a great way for Airmen to take care of other Airmen,” said Senior Master Sgt. Nathan McNeely, 611th Civil Engineer Squadron superintendent. “It benefits the Airmen now, retirees, spouses, widows and widowers.”
The Air Force Aid Society provides Airmen and their families’ worldwide emergency financial assistance, education assistance and various base-level community enhancement programs.
In 2017, JBER raised a total of $127,720.61 for the Air Force Aid Society.
The Air Force Villages support independent and assisted living needs for retired officers and their spouses, widows or widowers and family members.
The Air Force Enlisted Village provides homes and financial assistance to retired enlisted and their spouses, widows or widowers who are 55 and older.
The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation provides rent and financial assistance to widows and widowers of retirees in their homes and communities through financial grants of assistance.
“The LeMay foundation provides my family and me with a piece-of-mind because if something were to happen to me, my family would be taken care of,” McNeely said.
During the AFAF campaign, each unit will have a representative who will make contact with all active-duty and retirees for information on the campaign and to solicit donations.
The donation goal at JBER is $85,877 for the six-week campaign.
The loans and grants given to Airmen can be used for various situations such as help with moving, basic living expenses, medical or emergency expenses. Airmen who need assistance should reach out to their 1st Sgt. or the Military and Family Readiness Center.
“Just a few dollars a month ensures fellow Airmen will have the assistance they need when they need it the most,” said Air Force Col. George Dietrich, JBER and 673d Air Base Wing commander. “And you never know, you may find in the future that you have ‘paid it forward’, and our AFAF charities will be there for you should you need them.”
Contributions to the AFAF are tax deductible. For more information on the AFAF campaign, visit http://www.afassistancefund.org.