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AFAF 2011 kicks off

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Whitney Tucker
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam - --  The annual Air Force Assistance Fund drive will run from March 7 until April 15.

The AFAF was established to provide for an annual effort to raise funds for the charitable affiliates that provide support to the Air Force families (active duty, retirees, reservists, guard and their dependents, including surviving spouses) in need.

Last year Andersen raised more than $60,000 in contributions, nearly doubling the original 36th Wing goal of $34,460.

"The Air Force Assistance Fund is a tax exempt organization that provides contributions to four Air Force affiliated charities," said Capt. Jacob Botello, 2011 AFAF Installation Project Officer. "Basically, think of it as Airmen helping Airmen, because Airmen are the ones who benefit from these charities. Because of our contributions, we can help Airmen with emergency needs, educational assistance, family support and provide comfort and dignity to Air Force widows and widowers."

People can contribute by cash, check or money order, or use payroll deductions for:

-The Air Force Aid Society, which provides Airmen and their families worldwide with emergency financial assistance, education assistance and an array of base-level community-enhancement programs. More information is available at www.afas.org.

- The Air Force Enlisted Village, which includes Teresa Village in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and Bob Hope Village in Shalimar, Fla., near Eglin Air Force Base. The fund provides homes and financial assistance to widows and widowers of retired enlisted people 55 and older. Hawthorn House, also in Shalimar, provides assisted living for residents requiring more assistance than others, including 24-hour nursing care. More information is available at www.afenlistedwidows.org.

- Air Force Village, which includes Air Force Village I and II in San Antonio, is a life-care community for retired officers, spouses, widows or widowers and family members. The Air Force Village Web site is www.airforcevillages.com.

- The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation provides rent and financial assistance to widows and widowers of officer and enlisted retirees in their homes and communities through financial grants of assistance. The LeMay Foundation Web site is www.lemay-foundation.org.

For more information about the charitable organizations and AFAF visit www.afassistancefund.org.