AFAF: "Commitment to Caring"

  • Published
  • By 2d Lt David Anderson
  • 354th Comptroller Squadron
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Secretary of the Air Force, Mr. Michael B. Donley, and Chief of Staff, Gen. Norton A. Schwartz chose the theme "Commitment to Caring" for the 38th annual Air Force Assistance Fund campaign.

Eielson AFB's 2011 AFAF campaign will kick-off on Feb 15 during a free breakfast at the base chapel at 8 a.m. Additionally, there will be a bowl-a-thon fundraiser on Feb. 25 and a dodge ball fundraiser to end the campaign on Mar. 25, both in conjunction with Fit Flag. Come show support by knocking some pins down and playing dodge ball while giving to a worthy cause.

The AFAF has a legacy of Airmen helping Airmen, which is demonstrated by members' commitment every year and donations received. Last year, the AFAF raised $7.49M Air Force wide. From this pool of money, $2.3M was used for community enhancement programs, $708K to Give Parents a Break, $635K in grants, $229K towards spouse tuition assistance, and the list goes on. That's a lot of money, but what about examples of how Airmen were helped out here at Eielson?

There are many stories about how members' donations to AFAF have helped out fellow Icemen. For example, recently a deployed member's family was home on leave when his house had a frozen pipe burst causing over $170,000 in damages. The Air Force Aid Society stepped in and gave the family a $5,000 grant to help cover what the insurance would not.

In 2010, AFAS loaned $50,000 without interest to help Airmen pay for unforeseen expenses including emergency travel, vehicle repairs, home repairs, child care, dental care, and funeral expenses. Another $50,000 was given for educational assistance and community enhancement programs such as Give Parents a Break, Bundles for Babies, and child care for families PCSing.

These are all examples of how the AFAS has provided support, but AFAS is only one of four AFAF charities.

Here's a brief history lesson on all four AFAF charities. For the past 67 years, the AFAS has supported Airmen and their families by providing interest-free emergency loans, educational grants, and community enhancement programs. Over the last 30 years, the Air Force Village and Air Force Enlisted Village have provided retiree's widows and widowers with a home and caring community. The LeMay Foundation assists by providing financial grants to widows and widowers of Air Force retirees.

Thanks to the abundant supply of donations and support for our fellow Icemen, many Airmen and families have been helped in times of need. This is a great testament to our second core value, "Service Before Self," whether in the form of volunteered time or donated money, serving other Airmen is as good as it gets.

If you have questions about the AFAF or would like to contribute, please contact your group or squadron representative. Also, feel free to contact Eielson AFB's project officers, 2d Lt. David Anderson at 377-5280, or Master Sgt. James Friske at 377-2021.