AFAF helps fellow Airmen Published March 18, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Aubrey White 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- The Air Force Assistance Fund drive runs March 25 through May 3 to raise funds for a variety of programs designed to provide support ranging from financial assistance to care for military widows. This year Team Seymour has a goal of raising $83,372. "This year's goal is hefty and we need every Airman's help to achieve it," said U.S. Air Force Capt. Jonathan Toms, 336th Fighter Squadron weapon systems officer and AFAF installation project officer. "The AFAF affiliate organizations rely on donations to maintain their ability to provide assistance to those in need." The AFAF is the official charity of the Air Force; designed to provide worldwide assistance to Airmen and their families. The four charities that benefit from the campaign drive are the Air Force Aid Society, the Gen. and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation, the Air Force Enlisted Village and the Air Force Village. - The Air Force Aid Society provides Airmen and their families with worldwide emergency financial assistance, education assistance and base-level, community-enhancement programs. Funds raised during the 2012 campaign AFAF charities provided direct assistance to more than $40,000 Air Force members and their families totaling more than $17 million in aid. The Airmen and Family Readiness Center has full details on programs and eligibility requirements. Additional information is available at www.afas.org. - The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation helps widows of all Air Force retirees, both officers and enlisted, through financial grants of assistance. The LeMay Foundation website is www.lemay-foundation.org. -The Air Force Enlisted Village was founded in 1967 and is located near Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The enlisted village provides a safe, secure and dignified home to indigent widows of retired Air Force enlisted members. For details, visit www.afenlistedwidows.org. - The Air Force Village provides retirement living, with access to continuing health care, for military officers who served honorably and their spouses, with priority to retired Air Force officer widows and widowers in need of financial assistance. This village is located in San Antonio. For more information, go to www.airforcevillages.com. Donations made to the AFAS provide a direct benefit to each Air Force installation. In 2012, of the funds distributed to the Seymour Johnson community, $307,485 was given to Airmen in the form of loans and grants; $44,000 went toward education grants and spouses' tuition assistance and $17,816 was applied to community programs. Any donation regardless of size, makes a difference. In addition, donations are tax deductable. "A specific amount is not required by any person, but the suggested amount is 1/10 of 1% of your annual salary," Toms said. "You can be assured that any donation you give will be used to help fellow Airmen and their families." Donations can be made via cash, check, money order or payroll deduction. For more information about the AFAF, visit www.afassistancefund.org/ or contact a unit AFAF representative.