AFAF: Airmen helping Airmen Published March 7, 2013 By Senior Airman Cortney Paxton 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- It's not completely unknown to Airmen across the Air Force that there are programs put in place for their sole benefit and successful progression of their careers. But it may not be as commonly known that Airmen can give back to a specific few of these beneficial programs. The Air Force Assistance Fund is a campaign put in place to give Air Force members the opportunity to give back to fellow Airmen. This year's campaign started March 4 and will continue through April 12. "The AFAF campaign helps raise funds for four charitable affiliates," said Senior Master Sgt. Joseph Casey, 741st Missile Security Forces Squadron superintendent and Malmstrom's AFAF project manager. "These organizations help Air Force people with aid in emergencies, educational needs or to have a secure retirement home for widows or widowers of Air Force members in need of financial assistance." The four charities are the Air Force Aid Society, the Mrs. Curtis E. Lemay Foundation, the Air Force Enlisted Village and the Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation. Airmen planning to donate are encouraged to research the charities if planning to donate to one specifically. "Each charity is unique in their mission, but all provide for Airmen and their families," Casey said. "I believe Airmen should get to know each of the four charities and make a choice they believe in. Each charity helps support the Airman and their family - now and in their future." Air Force Aid Society The Air Force Aid Society is one of the most common assistance programs, touching an average of 30,000 Airmen each year. It provides $10 million in emergency assistance to eligible Airmen and their families, along with $6 million in need-based education grants for eligible spouses and dependent children. It also provides various proactive community programs to help improve quality of life. More information can be found online at www.afas.org. Lemay Foundation The Lemay Foundation awards grants to enlisted and officer retiree's spouses, primarily stalwart windows who supported their families and active-duty spouses. Grants have been given away through the Lemay Foundation to widows with monthly incomes that fall below the poverty line as well as one-time grants given for necessities such as wheelchairs and prosthetics. For more information, visit www.lemay-foundation.org. Air Force Enlisted Village The Air Force Enlisted Village provides the entire Air Force family, with a primary focus on spouses, with the gift of a home. It offers a community home to mothers of active-duty and retired military members. It also provides temporary housing for surviving spouses of enlisted members who die while on active duty or to the active-duty members if a tragedy strikes. More information can be found at www.afev.us. Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation The Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation provides retired Air Force officer's widows needing financial assistance with a retirement community home. Since 1970 the charity has provided $13 million in confidential support to approximately 500 widowed spouses. For more information, visit www.airforcevillages.com. Last year the AFAF campaign raised $50,713 and the bar has been raised this year. "The goal for this year's campaign is $56,000," Casey said. "However, I truly believe the men and women of Malmstrom Air Force Base can surpass that goal." All of the funds raised through the AFAF go back into the Air Force to help members in need. The same money Airmen donate could be used to help them through a tough situation in the future. "We belong to a larger Air Force family and this is a great way for Airman to help their fellow Airman in need," Casey said. "Just knowing that your donation is used for a truly worthy cause that supports our Airmen and their family is why Airmen should consider donating."