Air Force Assistance Fund campaign begins

  • Published
  • By Team Eglin
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Albert Einstein said, "The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving."

The same holds true today as the 2009 Air Force Assistance Fund campaign kicks off Feb. 23 and runs through April 6. 

In the tradition of Airmen helping Airmen, donations from the 36th annual campaign "Commitment to Caring" will benefit active-duty, Reserve, Guard, retired Airmen and their families. The goal for the installation this year is $119,197. 

For those who wonder if the charities make a difference, the Air Force Aid Society at Eglin contributed more than $500,000 in aid for Team Eglin and dependants just last year. 

Servicemembers can contribute to AFAF through a one-time donation of cash, check or money order or payroll deduction. The following four charities receive 100 percent of the designated contributions and all donations are tax deductible. 

-- The Air Force Aid Society, which provides Airmen and their families with worldwide emergency financial assistance, education assistance and an array of base level community-enhancement programs. Base staff members at airman and family readiness centers have full details on programs and eligibility requirements. Information also is available online at www.afas.org.

-- The Air Force Enlisted Village Indigent Widows' Fund supports the Air Force Village in Shalimar, Fla., near Eglin Air Force Base. The fund provides rent subsidy and other support to indigent widows and widowers of retired enlisted people 55 and older. More information is available at www.afenlistedwidows.org.

-- The Air Force Villages Indigent Widows' Fund supports the Air Force Village in San Antonio, a life-care community for retired officers, spouses, widows or widowers and family members. The Air Force Village Web site is www.airforcevillages.com.

-- The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation, which provides rent and financial assistance to indigent widows and widowers of officers and enlisted people in their own homes and communities. The LeMay Foundation Web site is www.afvw.com/lemay.html. 

"These organizations need our help," said Capt. David Welch, Eglin's AFAF installation project officer. "This campaign offers a chance for Team Eglin to help their own -- both those in the fight now and those who answered the call before.

For more information, visit the Air Force Assistance Fund Web site https://www.afassistancefund.org or contact a unit project officer.


AFAF for Eglin
Capt. David Welch, AFAF installation project officer, 883-9325.
1st Lt. Edward De Iulio, alternate installation project officer, 872-6693.