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AFAF kicks off March 23 at Al Udeid AB

  • Published
  • By 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar --  The 2015 Air Force Assistance Fund campaign, which helps to provide financial relief to Airmen and their families, is scheduled to kick-off here for permanent party personnel from March 23 through May 1.

The campaign, themed “Commitment to Caring,” helps active-duty, Guard, Reserve, retired Airmen and their families combat unexpected financial hardships.

“This campaign has always been about Airmen helping Airmen, and that’s why I think it’s a great fundraiser to support,” said Capt. Megan Sanchez, AUAB AFAF installation project officer. “What better way to help my fellow wingman than during a time of financial crisis.”

The AFAF benefits four charities: the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation, the Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation, the Air Force Enlisted Village and the Air Force Aid Society. The four charities help Air Force servicemembers in a variety of ways, to include aiding in emergencies, supporting educational needs and helping to secure retirement homes for widows or widowers of Air Force members in need of financial assistance.

Many Airmen are familiar with and have relied on the support of AFAS, which was founded as a relief organization in 1942 by Army Air Force personnel, including General Henry H. "Hap" Arnold, who wanted to take care of their own. The AFAS has been helping Airmen through difficult times ever since.

Air Force-wide, the society helped more than 75,000 Airmen and their families with more than $17.4 million in direct assistance in 2013, according to AFAS’s annual report.

Additionally, AFAS helps fund many programs run through the Airman and Family Readiness Center. These programs include: respite care, Give Parents a Break, child care for volunteers, child care for Permanent Change of Station moves, Car Care Because We Care and Bundles for Babies.

Go to http://www.afassitancefund.org/fund/form.cfm to donate online. Online forms need to be printed and turned in to your unit rep. For more information, Airmen can contact their unit AFAF representatives or the AUAB AFAF installation project officer.