Air Force Assistance Fund to kick off at Joint Military Mall

  • Published
  • By Luke Waack
  • JBER PAO
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson will open the annual Air Force Assistance Fund campaign, which raises money for several service charities, at the Joint Military Mall, Wednesday, at 11:15 a.m.

Organizers have set a fundraising goal of $105,613. Donations to this year's "Commitment to Caring" campaign will assist eligible applicants through Air Force Villages Inc., the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation, the Air Force Aid Society, and the Air Force Enlisted Village.

Achieving 100 percent contact with all eligible active-duty Airmen donors is another goal of Air Force Master Sgt. Chad Carver, AFAF campaign manager.

During the JBER campaign, which is scheduled to last until April 15, unit representatives will contact their designated sections to offer the opportunity to donate.

Carver hopes this year's campaign will meet it's goal, he said.

"You always have the resource to Air Force aid or if you want to help out your fellow Airmen," Carver said.

Each week, unit reps will report the results of their contact with donors, Carver said, and he will brief commanders on progress.

"If you think about the Air Force as your family, in actuality you're helping your big extended family," Carver said.

There has been an improvement to AFAF to help some donors contribute, Carver said.
"Military retirees can donate with a payroll deduction plan," Carver said.

Any Air Force active-duty service member, retiree, reservist, guard member and their dependents, including surviving spouses, can apply for assistance.

Active-duty military members and military retirees can donate through payroll deduction, as long as the deduction lasts three months, and Department of Defense civilians can donate by cash or check, Carver said.

The Air Force Aid Society provides emergency assistance to Airmen and their families, and sponsors education and quality of life programs in communities.

The Air Force Enlisted Village provides homes for surviving spouses of retired enlisted Airmen. The Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation cares for retired Air Force officer widows who need financial assistance.

The LeMay Foundation awards grants to all retired Airmen and their spouses.
For more information, visit www.afassistancefund.org.