Airmen helping Airmen: Seymour Johnson kicks off Air Force Assistance Fund

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Shawna L. Keyes
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  The Air Force Assistance Fund (AFAF) drive will run March 24 through May 2 to raise funds for a variety of programs that provide support ranging from financial assistance to care for military widows.

This year, Seymour Johnson's goal is to raise $82,260.

"Donating to the AFAF directly supports our Airmen, retirees, and their families," said Capt. Steve Keefer, 334th Fighter Squadron pilot and the installation project manager for this year's campaign. "It is an opportunity to make a difference for someone who has fallen on hard circumstances."

Last year's campaign raised more than 113.5 percent of its goal. Of the money raised, 70 percent went to the Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) and 10 percent to each of the other three organizations, the Gen. and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation, the AF Enlisted Village (AFEV) and the AF Villages Charitable Foundation (AFVCF). These four charities will receive allotments from the money raised during this year's campaign.

The first of these charities is the AFAS, which is the official charity of the AF and provides emergency assistance to Airmen and their families via standard emergency assistance loans and grants, as well as Falcon Loans. The Airman and Family Readiness Center has full details on programs and eligibility requirements. Additional information is also available at www.afas.org.

The second charitable organization is the Gen. and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation, which helps widows of all AF retirees, both officer and enlisted, through financial grants. More information about this charity can be found at www.lemay-foundation.org.

Third is the AFEV, which is located near Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The village provides a safe, secure home for impoverished widows of retired AF enlisted members. For more information about the AFEV visit www.afenlistedwidows.org.

Lastly, the AFVCF provides retirement living with access to continued health care for retired military officers and their spouses. Additionally, accommodations are made for retired AF officer widows and widowers in need of financial assistance. To learn more about this charity visit www.afvillages.org.

"When we joined the Air Force, we became part of a family. In this family - we take care of each other. The Air Force Assistance Fund is unique because one hundred percent of the donations collected are invested in programs designed to assist the Air Force family," said Col. Jeannie Leavitt, 4th Fighter Wing commander.

Donations can be made by cash, check, money order or payroll deduction. For more information about the AFAF, visit www.afassistancefund.org or contact a unit AFAF representative.