Offutt to raise more than $100,000 Published Feb. 8, 2016 By Staff Sgt. Rachelle Blake 55th Wing Public Affairs OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- While the Combined Federal Campaign gave Team Offutt an opportunity to give back to countless charities across a spectrum of needs, it is now time for Airmen to give back to Airmen. The Air Force Assistance Fund will run from Feb. 16 through March 28. Last year Offutt raised 117% of their goal, totaling $120,263 and making the highest donation in Air Combat Command. This year the bar has been raised slightly higher and the goal is set at $123,980. "Our service makes it a priority to take care of our people," said U.S. Air Force Col. Marty Reynolds, 55th Wing commander. "The Air Force Assistance Fund embodies that mind-set. By taking care of our Airmen and their families, we make the Air Force stronger and better." Proceeds raised will go to one of four charities selected by the donator. "The Air Force Village Charitable Foundation and the Air Force Enlisted Village provides our retirees' widows and widowers with a home and caring community, whether they are able to afford it on their own or not," said 1st Lt. Christopher Little, 38th Reconnaissance Squadron and AFAF project officer. "The Air Force Aid Society is always there with emergency financial assistance, educational loans and scholarship, spouse tuition assistance and an array of other base community enhancement programs. Lastly, the LeMay Foundation seeks out and lends a helping hand to widows and widowers of Air Force retirees through grants of financial assistance, ensuring they are able to continue living in their homes, leading a life of dignity that they have earned." The overhead costs for these organizations are minimal and the donation process is simple. "Ninety-five cents of every dollar earned goes to these funds," Little said. "It is as easy as filling out an AF Form 2561 if donating via a Payment Deduction Plan or by giving cash which includes U.S. currency, personal checks, money orders, cashier's checks, endorsed traveler's checks or other redeemable instruments." To Little, the AFAF is a very personal event. "You can have insight into a community by how it takes care of and treats its veterans," he said. "Not every family has the financial means to do well or maybe they have lost their significant other. When I think about these things it makes me want to help and give more to the people's whose shoes I could possibly be in one day. No one wants to be in these situations, but we are here to help."