2016 AFAF campaign: Airmen helping Airmen

The 2016 Air Force Assistance Fund is in full swing after a kick-off celebration at Nelles Chapel March 14.

Campaign organizers, keyworkers and wing leadership attended the breakfast event, which also gave attendees the opportunity to be the first contributors to this year’s campaign.

The six-week event, which runs March 21 through April 29, is an annual fundraiser for charitable organizations that provide support to the Air Force community, including active duty, reservist and air guard Airmen, their dependents and retirees.

The charitable organizations include the Air Force Villages, Inc.; the Air Force Aid Society, Inc.; the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation; and the Air Force Enlisted Village, Inc. Donations made to these organizations directly support Airmen and their families.

“When we talk about being good wingmen and Airmen helping Airmen, this is exactly that,” said Master Sgt. Jeremy Thomas, 15th Wing AFAF installation project officer. “All the money donated comes right back to us. Even if you’ve never used Air Force Aide before, but maybe you know someone or has supervised someone who has, then your donations directly contributed to helping those people out.”

2nd Lt. Nathan Shaick, alternate 15th Wing AFAF installation project officer project officer, said he’s excited to be working with the campaign this year because it’s such good cause.

Though all four charities directly support Airmen and their families, the Air Force Aide Society provides Airmen a service that many of them and their families rely on at some point in their Air Force career.

“I’ve only been in the Air Force one year and I’ve already seen the Air Force Aide Society help one of my Airman,” he said. “This is a great agency and they provide a service that’s unmatched by any other agency. There is no way my Airmen would have gotten the funds together to get home during his emergency situation without Air Force Aide.

Though every dollar counts, Shaick said ensuring each Airmen is contacted and offered an opportunity to donate is the primary goal for the campaign.

Unit AFAF keyworkers will be in charge of providing information for their unit personnel and distributing and collecting the donation forms Donors are encouraged to learn more about the charities the AFAF supports and can find their website links at https://www.afassistancefund.org.