JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- In the spirit of giving back to the Air Force community, the 15th Wing is preparing its 2018 Air Force Assistance Fund campaign which begins 26 March and runs through 4 May.
“The AFAF continues to be one of the most impactful charities that benefits our Airmen,” said Col. Kevin Gordon, 15th Wing commander. “As much as we would like to prepare for the future, sometimes things come up financially that we are not prepared for. Those are the times when our Airmen need us most and the AFAF is there to help.”
Through AFAF, members of the military help raise money for a variety of charities that provide monetary assistance to help Airmen in need.
“Donations to AFAF’s annual fundraising campaign helps provide assistance to our enlisted or officer Air Force families in need, such as active duty, retirees, reservists, guard, and dependents, including surviving spouses,” said Drew Kadokawa, 647th Force Support Squadron community readiness consultant.
All active-duty or retired Airmen, whether they are officers or enlisted, can receive assistance through contributions from the following four charities:
The Air Force Aid Society supports Airmen and their families with emergency monetary relief in times of need for anything from groceries and utility bills to scholastic grants for Airmen furthering their education.
The Lemay Foundation assists widows of officer and enlisted Air Force retirees via financial aid to enable them to retain a dignified standard of living.
The Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation is a San Antonio-based charity that provides care for retired officers and their spouses.
The Air Force Enlisted Village is based in Florida near Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field, which provides care and living space for surviving spouses of retired enlisted Air Force members.
Funds from these charities have directly impacted the lives of Airmen at Hickam.
“In 2017, the Air Force Aid Society provided $95,740 emergency grants to over 126 Airman, $8,850 to community enhancement programs, and $13,730 in educational grants to Airmen stationed here at Hickam,” said Kadokawa. “Without contributions to the AFAF, we would not have been able to assist our Airmen or their families.”
Those interested in donating should reach out to their AFAF unit representatives, who will be briefing others on ways to donate. To learn more about the charities the AFAF supports, visit the AFAF website at https://www.afassistancefund.org.