AFAF 2012 kicks off

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Leah Young
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  The annual Air Force Assistance Fund is kicked off March 26 and run through May 4.

The AFAF is made up of the Air Force Villages, Inc., the Air Force Aid Society, Inc., the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation and the Air Force Enlisted Village, Inc. These organizations help active duty Airmen, Reservists, National Guard Airmen, retirees and Air Force widows with aid in an emergency, educational needs or financial assistance.

"This is a great program because it's the best way to give back and directly support each other," said Master Sgt. Linwood Robinson, a 2012 AFAF installation project officer. "You may never need assistance from one of the organizations, but someone will."

Last year, McChord Airmen raised more than $58,000. The 2012 goal is set at $68,063.

"Every little bit really helps," said 2nd Lt. Naomi Ballard, another of this year's AFAF installation project officers. "We are trying to make it as easy as possible for people to donate."

Donating to the AFAF requires Airmen to fill out an Air Force Form 2561. Cash donations and monthly automatic paycheck deductions are both acceptable methods of contribution.

Each unit has been appointed a project officer to serve as the main AFAF point of contact for Airmen. According to Robinson and Ballard, their goal is to establish 100 percent face-to-face contact with every between project officers and every Airmen on McChord Field within the first two weeks of the campaign.

"You never know what could happen," said Robinson. "It doesn't matter who you are. From the first day of your Air Force career and through retirement, this is Airmen taking care of each other."

More information available online

The Air Force Assistance Fund: www.afassistancefund.org

Air Force Villages, Inc.: www.airforcevillages.com/military-ccrc-community

Air Force Aid Society: www.afas.org

Gen. and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation:www.lemay-foundation.org

Air Force Enlisted Village, Inc.: www.afenlistedwidows.org