How your AFAF contributions count

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Rebecca Blossom
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  Donating to charity is one way that people can make a difference in the lives of others. Depending on which charity you choose to donate to, it can make a difference in your very own family.

The Air Force Assistance Fund is an annual effort to raise funds for charities that support members of the Air Force and their families.

Each year, Airmen reach out to their fellow Airmen and ask for contributions to help fund any of four AFAF affiliate charities: the Air Force Enlisted Village, the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation, Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation, and the Air Force Aid Society.

The AFEV provides assistance to widows of Airmen, surviving spouses of Airmen who died on active duty, retired enlisted couples, and even mothers of Airmen.

The LeMay Foundation offers support to widows of all AF retirees through financial grants, providing assistance for as long as it is needed.

AFVCF offers assisted living, skilled nursing, memory care, short-term rehabilitation and hospice care for retired AF officers' widowed spouses who need financial assistance.

Master Sgt. Shenica Speck, 627th Logistics Readiness Squadron individual protective equipment element section chief, is the 627th Air Base Group AFAF installation project officer and recognizes the importance of these AFAF affiliate charities.

"You're not going to be on active duty forever," said Speck. "If anything were to happen to you later in life, these charities can take help take care of your family."

The AF Aid Society at JBLM, which utilizes funds from the AFAF, provides various types of assistance to Airmen and their families in times of need or distress.

"We're here to help no matter what the situation is," said Diana Burr, 627th Force Support Squadron Air Force Aid officer. "We measure each case on its own merit, and determine the needs individually."

"Whether it's car repair, an unexpected emergency, or assistance during difficult financial situations, we can take care of Airmen and their families."

Last year's AFAF campaign at McChord, which raised more than $56,000 total, saw more than $41,000 designated to the Society.

Their monetary support to the base, however, was a much larger amount than that.

In 2014, the AFAS supported Team McChord families with more than $109,000 worth of interest free loans, and $17,000 in grants. The Society gave 29 grants for groceries alone last year, which added up to $7,225.

The AFAS also has a number of community programs.

Bundles for Babies is a free class for new and expecting parents, and those who attend get a bundle of items for their newborn worth $100 each.

The Car Care Because We Care program provides free oil changes on base for families of deployed Airmen and for new Airmen who complete their briefings at the First Term Airman's Center.

In addition to emergency assistance and community programs, the AFAS also offers the General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant program to dependents and spouses of active duty Airmen. McChord family members received more than $34,000 dollars in grants from the AFAS last year, all of which is theirs to spend on tuition, without paying anything back.

Donating to the AF Assistance Fund helps make all of these programs, loans, and grants available to members of the McChord community.

"A large amount of our funding comes from the AFAF," said Burr. "All of the donations pledged to the AFAS come back to the Airmen."

"We only have two weeks left for this year's campaign," said Speck. "Our goal for this year is $63,000, and we're trying to reach 100% contact with every Airman at McChord."

If you would like more information or to donate to the AFAF, please contact Diana Burr at 253-982-2695, Senior Master Sgt. Seanjon Judkins at 253-982-6781, or Master Sgt. Shenica Speck at 253-982-5416.