2009 Air Force Assistance Fund Campaign kicks off Published April 22, 2009 By 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. -- -- The Air Force Assistance Fund (AFAF) is a non-profit charitable organization that provides funding directly to four Air Force affiliates: Air Force Aid Society (AFAS), Air Force Village (AFV), Air Force Enlisted Village (AFEV) and the General and Mrs. Curtis LeMay Foundation. These four organizations provide assistance to members of the active, reserve, guard, and retired Air Force (AF) communities where help might not otherwise be available. They also provide financial aid for eligible dependents. The 2009 Homestead Air Reserve Base AFAF campaign will run 31 March to 2 May 2009. During that period, base personnel will be encouraged to donate to the affiliate(s) of their choice and enable them to continue to help our Airmen. Below is an overview of each affiliate: The Air Force Aid Society is the official charity of the AF and was founded in 1942 by members of the Army Air Corps. The AFAS promotes the AF mission through a three-part charter: provide world-wide emergency assistance to AF members and their families; sponsor education assistance programs; and offer a variety of base community enhancement programs. In 2008, the AFAS donated $24.3 million dollars toward fulfilling the charter. The Air Force Village Foundation was founded by leaders of the Air Officers Wives' Club to provide homes and financial support to widows who had no other means of support. Today, there are two AFV communities located in San Antonio, Texas, and are open to retired military officers and their eligible dependents. Currently, there are approximately 500 residents housed on the 15 acre community. The Air Force Enlisted Village was established in 1967 to provide a home and financial assistance for surviving spouses of AF enlisted members. The AFEV consist of three facilities located in the Florida panhandle: Bob Hope and Hawthorn Villages in Shalimar and Teresa Village in Fort Walton Beach. Since it was established, the AFEV has provided assistance to over 1,625 individuals. The General and Mrs. Curtis LeMay Foundation is a national organization which provides financial assistance to widows of all retired Air Force personnel. It provides financial help to indigent widows needing assistance; wherever they are residing for as long a period as necessary, even for a lifetime. The 2009 AFAF campaign targets AF personnel, retired military, civilian employees, sister-service military personnel, retirees working as civilian employees, and veterans. Active duty Air Force members and retirees may contribute through payroll deduction or cash donations while all others can participate by providing cash donations. Each individual can designate how their donation will be distributed among the four Air Force affiliates. Each squadron commander will appoint a "keyworker" to manage the campaign at the unit. Keyworkers are responsible for ensuring the appropriate forms are completed and submitted to the Installation Project Officers (IPO). In addition, keyworkers will contact deployed personnel to determine if they want to contribute to the AFAF. The AFAF has a tradition of helping Airmen when there are no other means available to them. A donation to the AFAF allows us to continue to provide assistance to our active, reserve and retired Airmen when they need it most. I urge you to give generously to this worthwhile cause and continue the fine tradition of Airmen helping Airmen. Please click on the below here for more information on the AFAF and the four AF affiliates. If you need additional assistance, please contact your unit keyworker, Senior Master Sgt. Wanda Symons or Chief Master Sgt. Charles Clunie.