Altus Air Force Base begins Air Force Assistance Fund campaign

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Megan E. Acs
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. - The annual Air Force Assistance Fund campaign began March 2, and will continue until April 10 at Altus Air Force Base.

The money collected will fund four affiliated charities: the Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation, the Air Force Aid Society, General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation and the Air Force Enlisted Village.

"The Air Force Assistance Fund is the Air Force's program to gain monetary funds for people in the Air Force, or those who served in the Air Force who are in need. It's Airmen caring for Airmen essentially," said U.S. Air Force Capt. Jordan Birt, the installation project officer for this year's campaign. "It's a big deal. It shows that we care for our own and that we are willing to be there and stand up when our fellow Airmen are in need."

Potential recipients of the AFAF include active duty, retirees, reservists, guard members and their dependents, including surviving spouses.

The charitable affiliate organizations provide support in an emergency, with educational needs, or provide a secure retirement home for widows or widowers of the Air Force members in need of financial assistance:

-The Air Force Village Foundation is a retirement community that cares for widowed spouses of retired Air Force officers who need financial assistance, and benefits approximately 50 individuals a year.

-The Air Force Aid Society provides worldwide emergency assistance to Airmen and their families in times of need since 1942, and can be used to cover the costs of unexpected expenses, such as medical equipment for a disable child, a plane ticket to fly home for a family funeral or even everyday expenses like a utility bill.

-The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation provides grants to enlisted and officer retirees' surviving spouses and can be used to augment incomes that fall below the poverty line. It assists with the cost of needs such as dental care, hearing aids, and minor home repairs.

-The Air Force Enlisted Village provides safe, comfortable homes to widows of military members, and has provided homes for thousands of military widows, giving more than $1.1 million annually to allow widows to live in safe and caring communities.

"Say if there was a problem with my son, or if I had a family emergency, or needed money for college scholarships, those types of things, the Air Force Assistance Fund can help," said Birt. "If you have a family, there's definitely aid to be gained if you needed it."

Donating to the Air Force Assistance Fund is not required; however, Birt encourages people to give if they can.

"People aren't expected to give money to this cause, but we still definitely want to encourage people to come to the realization that this is how we're taking care of our own," he said. "I think it's good to be generous toward this cause because all of us are one emergency away from potentially needing help."

Birt said that 95 cents of every dollar goes directly to the charities.

"When you look at that ratio, that's as good as you're going to find in any sort of charity or donation and it goes directly toward caring for Airmen," he said.

While other programs are in place to assist Airmen financially, the Air Force Assistance Fund is able to help out in a more immediate way, at no cost to the recipient.

"If an Airman goes to finance needing extra money due to a family emergency, they're not just going to get the money. They might get a loan or a pay advance, but this is something where the charity can take care of families in an immediate and hassle-free way."

Altus AFB was able to collect $35,000 in 2014, and $42,000 in 2013. This year's goal is set at $30,000.

Each squadron will have a unit project officer who will solicit donations and are available to answer any questions Airmen may have. For additional information, Airmen may also go to http://www.afassistancefund.org/.

"In 2013, the Air Force Assistance Fund contributed $72,000 toward Altus AFB. It definitely pours a lot of money into Altus AFB," said Birt. "Hopefully this lets Airmen know that they're not alone. The Air Force, through the AFAF, is there to take care of them."