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Air Force Assistance Fun volunteers net $42K for charities

  • Published
  • By Airman Basic Evan Carter
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
The Andersen Air Force Assistance Fund drive received $42,275 exceeding Andersen's potential monetary goal of $25,273 by 67 percent before it ended on April 14. 

The drive also reached its goal of 200 percent face-to-face contact. That means that AFAF unit project officers contacted everyone twice. The first contact was to say hello and explain about the campaign, and the second contact was to ask for a contribution after that person had time to think about it. 

"Our campaign was difficult, but as members will see, not impossible. Andersen Airmen were busier than normal, yet through all of it Team Andersen stayed 'committed to caring' raising almost double of the potential goal," said Capt. Richell Martinez, AFAF base project officer. "Thanks to the support of the key workers, unit project officers and leadership, we were able to pull through and make this a successful campaign." 

The  AFAF golf tournament, led by Capt. Mike Landers, raised $1,000 dollars on April 13, two days before the end of the drive. 

"The AFAF provided assistance to over 34,000 families last year," said Captain Landers. "It's about taking care of our own and Team Andersen stepped up to the plate once again showing outstanding support during this year's campaign." 

The Air Force Assistance Fund was established as an annual effort to raise funds for the charitable affiliates that provide support to the Air Force family. These organizations are the Air Force Village Foundation, Inc.; the Air Force Aid Society, Inc.; the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation; and the Air Force Enlisted Village, Inc. 

"The AFAF supports charities that are chartered to assist Air Force personnel in their times of need and the AFAF campaign is their main source of funding and another chance for Airmen to help fellow Airmen," said Captain Martinez. 

People can contribute through cash, check, money order or payroll deduction to:
-- The Air Force Aid Society, which provides Airmen and their families with worldwide emergency financial assistance, education assistance and an array of base level community-enhancement programs. Base family support centers have full details on programs and eligibility requirements. Information is also available online at http://www.afas.org. 

-- The Air Force Enlisted Village Indigent Widow's Fund in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., near Eglin Air Force Base, which provides rent subsidy and other support to indigent widows and widowers of retired enlisted people 55 and older. More information is available at www.afenlistedwidows.org. 

-- The Air Force Village Indigent Widow's Fund in San Antonio, which 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, which provides rent and financial assistance to indigent widows and widowers of officers and enlisted people in their own homes and communities. The LeMay Foundation Web site is www.lemayfoundation.org.
Contributions to the AFAF are tax deductible. For more information, visit afassistancefund.org or the Air Force Personnel Center's voting and fundraising Web site at www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/votefund.