Summer AFAF campaign kicks off

  • Published
  • By Lauren Russell
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – The 2020 Air Force Assistance Fund Summer Campaign will take place July 27 through Aug. 7. This year’s theme is “For Airmen, by Airmen.”

The Air Force Assistance Fund is an Air Force-wide annual fundraising effort to assist past and present Airmen and their families with unexpected challenges and financial hardships through four charities: The Air Force Aid Society, General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation, Air Force Village Charitable Foundation and the Air Force Enlisted Village.

“Our fundraising will look a little different this year due to COVID-19, but it’s the virus that makes this year’s campaign so important,” said Tech. Sgt. Samuel Burke, this year’s AFAF project officer at Hanscom.

In accordance with physical distancing requirements, this year’s campaign will be entirely virtual with four ways to donate: Members can submit an Air Force Form 2561 to their unit AFAF key worker electronically, text “AFAF” to 50155, coordinate a payroll deduction plan with their key worker, or visit www.afassistancefund.org.

Cash or check donations will not be accepted at this time.

“With canceled assignments, loved ones getting sick, or Airmen getting sick themselves, we have to depend on each other to provide for the increased assistance demand,” said Burke. “This campaign is an opportunity to help our wingmen when they need it most.”

The Air Force Aid Society

The Air Force Aid Society has been meeting the unique needs of Airmen and their families since 1942. Founded by Gen. Henry H. “Hap” Arnold, the AFAS works as a relief organization that emphasizes the ideal of Airmen helping Airmen by providing emergency financial assistance, educational support, and community programs.

General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation

The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation provides financial aid to widowed spouses of Air Force personnel of all ranks who are in need of assistance. The foundation, founded in 1987, uses grants to provide assistance for rent, utilities, food, some health care and other needs that may strain a widow's budget.

The foundation understands that military spouses "spend much of their lives coping with the difficulties of military life and supporting their spouses through years of active duty. Military spouses are entitled to a decent standard of living, entitled to live with dignity and entitled to be proud of their service."

Air Force Village Charitable Foundation

The Air Force Village in San Antonio has been providing a core charitable mission to care for retired Air Force officers' widowed spouses in need of financial help for nearly 50 years.

According to AFVCF officials, through this charity, Air Force widowed spouses have access to a dignified, comfortable and affordable retirement communities.

Two retirement communities offer independent living, skilled nursing, wellness clinics, home health care services, assisted living facilities and access to health care centers.

Air Force Enlisted Village

The Air Force Enlisted Village mission is to provide financial assistance and housing to surviving spouses of Air Force enlisted members left without significant assets, the opportunity for careers, home equities, retirement plans.

For more information on the AFAF or a list of unit keyworkers, email samuel.burke@us.af.mil.