HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah — The annual Air Force Assistance Fund campaign is ongoing here through May 19 and your contributions will benefit Air Force personnel and their families.
AFAF contributions provide financial support to four affiliates: the Air Force Village Charitable Foundation (AFVCF), Air Force Aid Society (AFAS), Air Force Enlisted Village (AFEV), and the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation (LEMAY).
The AFAF exists to provide emergency support and aid for things like financial assistance, help with educational needs, and help with finding a secure retirement home for widows or widowers. These benefits are available to Active Duty, Reservists and Guard members, as well as Retirees, Dependents, Family Members and Surviving Spouses, all of whom are part of the Air Force family.
Master Sgt. Andrew Filcher, AFAF project officer for Hill AFB, explains.
“The AFAF has been helping Airmen for 75 years. In 2016 they provided nearly $15 million dollars in direct support and provided 52,000 assists to Air Force members and families. In 2015 the AFAF provided Team Hill members 175 loan assists, 41 grants, and 35 educational grants and loans totaling $148,009. In addition, the AFAF also supports eight community programs at Team Hill at a cost of $21,934. The money truly comes back to our teammates and families when they need it. The work they do and their scope is remarkable.”
This year’s Hill AFB goal is $61,378.
The target audience for donations are Air Force military personnel and retired military now working as Department of the Air Force civilians since they are easily contacted and may benefit from the services of the affiliated AFAF charities. Keyworkers may also accept unsolicited contributions from others, including civilian employees (non-military), retirees, sister-service military personnel and veterans.
There are two ways to contribute to the AFAF.
The first is through Payroll Deduction Play (PDP), where Defense Finance and Accounting Service automatically deducts monthly contributions from military or retiree pay, commencing June 1 of the campaign year for active duty and July 1 for retirees.
The second is through a cash donation to include U.S. currency, personal checks, money orders, cashier’s checks, endorsed traveler’s checks or other redeemable instruments. In addition, members may choose to give via credit card donation on an individual charity’s websites. However, these credit card donations DO NOT count toward installation goals.
1st Lt. Tiffany Richmond, AFAF assistant project officer for Hill AFB, is very excited to launch the 2017 campaign.
“The AFAF is a great cause and it’s very likely you know someone who has been affected by the AFAF. For 75 years they’ve been there to provide assistance for our Airmen and families in need. If you’ve ever wanted a way to give back, the AFAF provides an excellent opportunity and way to do so.”
Additional information can be found by contacting Master Sgt. Filcher at 801-777-5501 or 1st Lt. Richmond at 801-777-3629, or by visiting respective unit project officers and keyworkers or www.afassistancefund.org.
