A helping hand close to home Published Feb. 27, 2015 55th Wing Public Affairs OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- The Air Force has entered a season when its members take a moment to focus on those in its ranks that need assistance. From widows of Airmen to Air Force families in financial need, the Air Force Assistance Fund works to alleviate some of the heartache and strain that military life can bring. "The AFAF is important because it allows airmen to take care of airmen," said U.S. Air Force Capt. James Dent, 55th Medical Support Squadron Satellite Pharmacy Officer in Charge and 2015 AFAF installation project officer. "We get to see up-close how the donations play an integral part in the lives of our Airmen." In 2014 Team Offutt contributed more than $84,000 to the AFAF. Unfortunately, Offutt AFB personnel used more than $200,000 in AFAF contributions to assist its Airmen. "No matter if you are a past, present, enlisted, officer or civilian Airmen you can give and the proceeds help Airmen in need," said U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Garrett Wight, 83rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit lead production super and 2015 AFAF installation project officer. "There is no other organization where you will see the effects of your donation so close to home." Donations to the AFAF are distributed between four charities: Air Force Villages, the Air Force Aid Society, the Gen. and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation and the Air Force Enlisted Village. The Air Force Aid Society, which dates back to 1942, was established in response to Gen. Henry "Hap" Arnold's concern that members of the Army Air Forces faced unique hardships in meeting the challenges of World War II. He wanted a national organization which could provide emergency assistance to the wives and children of war victims and assure the availability of educational assistance to those families. The Gen. and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation provides financial assistance to military widows of both enlisted and officers via one time grants and in some cases monthly stipends. The Air Force Villages and Air Force Enlisted Villages, though two separate organizations, provide similar assistance. The Villages provide assisted living for widows of Airman, and in some cases also financial support when necessary. "When I donate to a major charity, I know that they money goes to a good cause, but I never get to see that impact directly," Dent said. "When I donate to AFAF I can see how that money helps one of our own directly and it makes me feel good." The 2015 AFAF campaign is set to run through April 10 and Team Offutt has set a goal of $102,443. "If the whole base would donate $2, the price of a couple soft drinks a month, we would exceed our goal," Wight said. Even though the AFAF is set-up so Air Force members can take care of their own, DOD civilians and service members from others branches can also donate if they would like. The only limitation would be that the donation could only be a lump sum. In other words, unlike with the Combined Federal Campaign, anyone other than Air Force service members would not be eligible for the monthly paycheck deduction. To make a donation or for more information on AFAF, call Dent at 294-3229 or Wight at 294-4463. More information about the AFAF organizations can be found at http://www.afassistancefund.org/.