2013 AFAF campaign kicks off at Andersen Published March 18, 2013 By Master Sgt. Jeffrey Cheatham 644th Combat Communications Squadron ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- The 2013 annual Air Force Assistance Fund kicked off March 18 and will run through April 26 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The AFAF provides support to Air Force families including active duty, retirees, reservists, guardsmen and their dependents and surviving spouses in need of assistance through charitable affiliates with an annual fundraiser. Andersen raised $65,849 in contributions during the 2012 campaign, and Team Andersen members have received back approximately $32,000 of the money raised in aid from the Air Force Aid Society since October 2012. According to the 2013 campaign plan, the AFAF is an annual, on-the-job fundraising appeal conducted among all Air Force personnel for the benefit of Air Force personnel. These contributions are used to provide financial support to four AFAF affiliates: Air Force Village, the Air Force Aid Society, the Air Force Enlisted Village and the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation. "What sets this campaign apart from others is the very reason you should donate; it is Air Force members giving back directly to the Air Force family," said Senior Master Sgt. Richard Collazo, 644th Combat Communications Squadron Combat Support Flight chief and this year's AFAF installation project officer. "The 36th Wing's goal this year is to reach 100 percent of the base populace, and give everyone the chance to donate," said Collazo. "To contribute, personnel should locate their unit program officer or a designated member and keep in mind, donations are tax deductible." Contributions can be made in cash, check, money order, and also 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 website 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 website is www.lemay-foundation.org. For more information about the charitable organizations and AFAF visit www.afassistancefund.org. (The 36th Wing Public Affairs Office contributed to this story.)