CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
This year's Air Force Assistance Fund campaign will give Team Charleston the opportunity to donate to four organizations that give back to Airmen between March 23 and May 3.
"AFAF is the official charity of the Air Force and is a very easy way for one to give back to the Air Force community, benefitting Airmen and their families," said Capt. Marquette Moore, 437th Operations Support Squadron Airfield Operations Flight commander and AFAF installation project officer. "It takes care of our Airmen through grants and very low to no interest loans and it is also tax deductible."
This annual campaign, which is strictly voluntary, benefits active-duty Airmen, reservists, National Guard members, retirees and family members. They can be helped with financial obligations such as paying car loans during a time of financial difficulty, getting grants for college or paying for a flight to go home for a funeral.
"Our goal for this year's campaign is to raise at least $63,018 and I am definitely sure we'll reach our goal," said Captain Moore.
Airmen will have the opportunity to donate to any or all four of the charitable organizations through the AFAF campaign. The four charities are Air Force Aid Society, Air Force Villages Indigent Widow's Fund, Air Force Enlisted Village Indigent Widow's Fund and the General & Mrs. Lemay Foundation.
The AFAS provides Airmen and their families with emergency financial assistance, education assistance and various base-level enhancement programs to better the environment for Airmen.
"AFAS is the one that has the biggest impact on Team Charleston," said Captain Moore. "Last year, Charleston AFB gave $52,000 to AFAS but received more than $227,000 in aid directly back to Airmen stationed here at Charleston -- that's a 335 percent return on investment."
The Air Force Enlisted Village Indigent Widows' Fund provides a safe and secure place for indigent widows and widowers of retired enlisted Air Force members as well as financial assistance.
The Air Force Villages Indigent Widows' Fund is a life-care community for retired officers' widows or widowers.
The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation provides rent and financial assistance to widows or widowers of officers or enlisted Airmen who want to live in their own homes.
Each squadron has a representative assigned as a point of contact for this campaign. They have pledge forms to fill out and submit for the donations. Airmen can make the donations with cash, checks, money orders or payroll deduction.
"Participation from everyone in this program is highly encouraged because you never know when you could be on the receiving end of something as selfless as this," said Captain Moore.
For more information or to participate in the campaign, contact Captain Moore at 963-7692 or 2nd Lt. Jennifer Hegedish at 963-2470. The 315th Airlift Wing point of contact is Laura Welander at 963-4398.