AFAF: Airmen helping Airmen in need Published Feb. 22, 2007 By Air Force Assistance Fund campaign committee GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The 33rd annual Air Force Assistance Fund campaign base kicked off here Feb. 15. This year's campaign runs until March 29 with a theme of "Commitment to Caring." AFAF offers Airmen a chance to contribute to any of four charitable organizations which benefit active duty, Reserve, Guard, retired Air Force members, surviving spouses and families. "Last year the wing collected more than $39,500. Wing personnel, however, received more than $175,000 in aid from AFAF just the year before," said 2nd Lt. Sean Warner, wing AFAF project officer. "We hope to do even better this year," he said. In 2005, total direct assistance to Air Force members and families totaled $21.6 million - more than 30,000 people helped. AFAF charities received 100 percent of designated contributions for last year's campaign. People can contribute through cash, check, money order or payroll deduction to the Air Force Aid Society, which provides Airmen and their families with world-wide emergency financial assistance, education assistance and an array of base level community-enhancement programs. The Airman and Family Readiness Center has full details on programs and eligibility requirements. Information is also available online at http://www.afas.org. The Air Force Enlisted Village Indigent Widow's Fund in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., near Eglin Air Force Base provides rent subsidies and other support to indigent widows and widowers of retired enlisted people 55 and older. More details are available at http://www.afenlistedwidows.org. The Air Force Village Indigent Widow's Fund in San Antonio is a life care community for retired officers, spouses, widows or widowers and family members. The Air Force Village Web site is http://www.airforcevillages.com. -- The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation 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 http://www.lemayfoundation.org. Contributions to AFAF are tax deductible. For more information, visit http://afassistancefund.org or the Air Force Personnel Center's Voting and News. Your AFAF connections Group points of contact for AFAF: 319th Maintenance Group 2nd Lt. Andrea Ismirle 319th Mission Support Group 2nd Lt. Denise Muller 319th Operations Group 1st Lt. Jason Hofstede 319th Medical Group Capt. Alejandro Breceda 319th Wing Staff Capt. Joe Snyder