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Andersen's AFAF campaign to begin March 4

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Ann Bennett
  • The Pacific Edge
Both active duty and retired Airmen at Andersen can contribute to any of the four official Air Force charitable organizations during the Air Force Assistance Fund Campaign. Andersen's AFAF campaign will run from March 4 through April 14.

According to Capt. Richell Martinez, Andersen Air Force Assistance Fund project officer, the Air Force Assistance Fund was established to provide for an annual effort to raise funds for the charitable affiliates that provide support to Air Force families in need. This includes active duty, retirees, reservists, guard and their dependents, including surviving spouses.

These organizations that people can contribute to through cash, check, money order or payroll deduction are the Air Force Aid Society, Inc.; the Air Force Village Foundation, Inc.; the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation; and the Air Force Enlisted Village, Inc.

These organizations help Air Force people with aid in an emergency, with educational needs, or to have a secure retirement home for widows or widowers of Air Force members in need of financial assistance.

n The Air Force Aid Society, Inc. - This annual AFAF campaign is the primary source of donations to the Air Force Aid Society and supports the "Airmen helping Airmen" philosophy on which the Society was founded. AFAS is chartered to assist in relieving financial emergencies faced by active duty members and their families and assisting them to finance their education. AFAS also assists reserve and Guard personnel who are on extended active duty or face unique emergencies. On a case-by-case basis, Air Force retirees and widows can also be considered for assistance. The Andersen Airman and Family Readiness Center has full details on programs and eligibility requirements. Information is also available online at http:www.afas.org/.

The AFAS is the official charity of the U.S. Air Force, and the AFAS motto is "Whatever, whenever and however necessary the Air Force always takes care of its own."

n The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation - AFAF is also the main source of funding for this foundation which provides financial assistance to widows of all retired Air Force personnel. The LeMay Foundation Web site is http://www.afvw.com/lemay.html.

n The Air Force Enlisted Village Indigent Widow's Fund - provides homes, which are located in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., to dire-need and indigent enlisted widows of the Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force reserve. The fund also supports active duty members. Temporary housing and services are available to spouses of enlisted members who die on active duty. Adult dependants - typically parents of active duty enlisted members or their spouses - are eligible for permanent housing on a space-available basis. More information is available at http://www.afenlistedwidows.org.

n The Air Force Village Indigent Widow's Fund - provides homes, which are located in San Antonio, Texas, for widows of career retired Air Force officers with dignified, appropriate and cost-effective living options. The fund has two "villages" that support a life-care community and also supports active duty members. The Health Care Center services are available to military members of all ranks and their dependants. More information is available at http://airforcevillages.com.

Active duty Airmen can contact their unit AFAF project officer or the Andersen AFAF project officer, Captain Martinez, to contribute.

For retirees, an AFAF contribution form is published in AFRP 36-1, Afterburner. Retirees may tear out the contribution form in the newsletter, attach it to their contribution (cash, check or money order) or complete the PDP portion to start an allotment.

Retirees may:

a. Make contributions directly to the AFAF campaign at Andersen AFB, Guam through the Retiree Activity Office, AFAF installation project officer, or any UPO or key worker using the AF Form 25621.

b. Mail contributions (cash, check or money order) and contributors' forms from the Afterburner to Air Force Assistance Fund, HQ AFPC/DPSOOF, 550 C Street West Ste 37, Randolph AFB, TX 78150-4739.

c. Mail contributions directly to the affiliate(s) of their choice at the addresses in the campaign brochures.

d. Mail completed PDP form directly to DFAS, Cleveland Center, ATTN: Code FR, P.O. Box 99191, Cleveland, OH 44199-1126.

"The Air Force Assistance Fund campaign is another chance to help fellow Airmen," said Captain Martinez, who can be contacted at 366-6151 or richell.martinez@andersen.af.mil.

The Retiree Activity Office point of contact is retired Air Force Maj. Dave Whitford who can be reached at 366-1059.