Annual campaign to help Air Force family kicks off

  • Published
  • By Debbie Aragon
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  The 2010 Air Force Assistance Fund Campaign kicked off here March 8 and runs through April 16. The annual campaign, in its 37th year, provides a way for people to support the Air Force family through four helping organizations.

Each year a fund raising goal is established for each base. This year's goal for Offutt is $108,375. Approximately 95 cents of every dollar donated goes to the Air Force Enlisted Village, the Air Force Village Foundation, the Air Force Aid Society or the Gen. and Mrs. Curtis E. Lemay Foundation, according to Master Sgt. Michael Bartling, one of two installation project officers here. The second installation project officer is Master Sgt. Tomeika Elmore.

"The AFAF has a long tradition of providing critical assistance to members of our Air Force family," said Bill D'Avanzo, chief of Air Force Fundraising at the Air Force Personnel Center. "Whether they become victims of natural disasters or endure the personal hardships of deployments, accidents, illness, aging or death, these charities are there to provide fast and reliable help."

"Sergeant Elmore and I understand that times are tough economically, but we hope each individual who can, will want to help those less fortunate members of the Air Force Family," said Sergeant Bartling.

Of course, the choice to give and the amount given is up to each individual, he added.

Here's a look at each of the four organizations that make up the AFAF:

The Air Force Enlisted Village: Provides a safe, secure and dignified place to more than 1,500 indigent surviving spouses of retired Air Force members. The village's primary goal and focus is to "Provide a Home," and financial assistance to residents. The surviving spouse with the greatest need is cared for first and none are refused assistance due to their financial status. www.afenlistedwidows.org

The Air Force Village Foundation: Provides widows with cost effective living options and maintains two retirement communities for retirees and honorably separated officers from all branches of the uniformed services, their spouses and family members. www.airforcevillages.com

Air Force Aid Society: The official charity of the Air Force, the AFAS is chartered to assist in relieving financial emergencies faced by active-duty members and their families. About $13 million in emergency assistance is provided each year. The AFAS manages the Gen. Henry H. Arnold Grant Program, which has provided more than 87,000 grants since 1988. The AFAS also supports the Gen. George S. Brown Spouse Tuition Assistance Program, which assists spouses with educational costs. www.afas.org  

The Gen. and Mrs. Curtis E. Lemay Foundation: This national organization provides financial assistance to widows of all retired Air Force personnel. The foundation also offers financial assistance to indigent widows in need. www.lemay-foundation.org  

Anyone interested in contributing may make contributions to their respective AFAF key worker (listed below). Active-duty and retired military members can use payroll deduction, Sergeant Bartling said, adding both he and Sergeant Elmore recommend this option because "it is a very convenient method of giving."

For more information, visit http://www.afassistancefund.org. (1st Lt. Gina Vaccaro McKeen, Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs, contributed to this report)

Installation Project Officers: Master Sgt. Tomeika Elmore, 294-5859 and Master Sgt. Michael Bartling, 294-2660

55th Wing Representatives: 55th Operations Group Tech. Sgt. Ron Herndon, 232-7168; 55th Communications Group Master Sgt. Rob Whitehead, 294-7146; 55th Mission Support Group Tech. Sgt. David Clark, 294-4352; 55th Maintenance Group Master Sgt. Shandon Domenici, 232-6193 and Senior Airman Amy Kielisch, 294-4904; and 55th Medical Group Capt. Richard Caballero, 294-3229

Air Force Weather Agency Representatives: Master Sgt. Gene Kapuchuck and Staff Sgt. Scott Lowrey, 232-3012; and Staff Sgt. Melissa Barbett, 294-6739

U.S. Strategic Command Representatives: Senior Master Sgt. Nanette Wellens, 294-7571 and Master Sgt. Wayne Nelson, 294-9998