Airmen bleed blue, give green with annual AFAF contributions

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Dillon White
  • 341st Space Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  The wingman concept will come to life here at Malmstrom with the kick off of the Air Force Assistance Fund March 10. 

Airmen can contribute to the AFAF through April 20. Donations will help four separate charity organizations that give financial aid, child care, living accommodations and help with one-time expenses, such as dental work or wheelchairs, to military widows and Airmen and their families. 

"This is our chance to help each other," said Master Sgt. Timoteo Silva, AFAF Drive installation project officer. "This is money we donate to help each other in the event of an emergency because you never know when you might need help." 

Malmstrom's projected goal is $49,772 this year, with a projected potential of $99,544. For the base to bring in the potential amount, all personnel would have to donate.
What are the four charities? 

-- The Air Force Aid Society is the official Air Force charity and provides relief for financial emergencies for active-duty Airmen and their families. The AFAS helps Reserve and Guard personnel on extended active-duty, retirees and widows on a case-by-case basis. Interest-free loans can be used for food, rent, utilities, essential car repair, and certain medical and dental care. The AFAS manages the General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program for active-duty family members. AFAS funds also support local programs such as Bundles for Babies, the Give Parents a Break Program and phone cards for deployed Airmen. For more information, go to http://www.afas.org/. 

-- The Air Force Enlisted Village Indigent Widows Fund helps military widows by providing homes for more than 1,600 people and offering temporary housing to spouses of enlisted members who die on active-duty. Adult family members of active-duty members are eligible for permanent housing and the village also provides temporary housing during natural disasters to active-duty and retired Airmen. For more information, go to http://www.afenlistedwidows.org. 

-- The Air Force Village Indigent Widows Fund provides widows of retired officers from all federal uniformed services with cost-effective living options. Families of Air Force officers killed while on active-duty are eligible for living accommodations as well. For more information, go to http://www.airforcevillages.com. 

-- The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation helps widows of all Air Force retirees from all ranks to pay for food, rent, utilities and some health care to include one-time expenses such as eyeglasses and wheelchairs. For more information, go to http://www.lemay-foundation.org/ 

Spread it out over a year 

Donations can be made by cash, check or payroll deduction made over the course of a year. For example, an Airman can donate $2 each month -- the cost of an energy drink at the gym -- and give their fair share of $24. 

Group representatives for the AFAF campaign at Malmstrom will contact Airmen for their opportunity to donate to the charity of their choice. Contributions are tax deductible. 

What's my fair share? 

Airmen basic through senior airmen can consider giving between $16 and $23;
NCOs are encouraged to aim for $23 to $36;
Senior NCOs $44 to $63;
Company grade officers between $30 and $55; and
Field grade officer's share falls between $70 and $100.