AFAF, a commitment to caring

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Magen M. Reeves
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  On March 7 a breakfast will be held at the Grizzly Bend from 9-11 a.m. to kickoff the Air Force Assistance Fund campaign which will run from March 7 to April 15, 2016, here at Malmstrom Air Force Base.

The campaign focuses on raising funds for four affiliate Air Force charities including the Air Force Enlisted Village, the Air Force Village Charitable Foundation, the Air Force Aid Society, and the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation.

"The event is open to the entire base," said 1st Lt. Brian Harris, 10th Missile Squadron and point of contact for the AFAF campaign at Malmstrom.
"We would like to get as much participation as possible for the event and the campaign in general."

Harris, along with Master Sgt. Corey Nielsen with the 341st Security Forces Squadron, are the POCs for this year's AFAF events.

This year marks the 43rd annual AFAF campaign designed to be from Airmen for Airmen.

"This is a service provided for all Air Force members when something happens and they need assistance. (The AFAF) would be able to support them," said Harris. "Any (monetary) amount given is going toward the cause and you know that your money is going to the right the foundation."

The AFAF affiliates provide the Air Force with services from the funds generated by the campaign.

The Air Force Aid Society is one of four of the benefiters from the campaign. The AFAS provides emergency financial assistance to Airmen in need, educational loans and scholarships for Airmen to be able to obtain a continued education and many more programs designed with Airmen in mind.

"If somebody is having money issues, or they just bought a house and their money is tied up in a mortgage, heaven forbid they have a family member die and they can't afford a ticket home," said Harris. "The AFAS (would buy) the ticket for that Airman to be with their family."

The Air Force Enlisted Village mission is to provide a home to enlisted Air Force widows. Spouses are the AFEV's main priority, but the organization also helps mothers of active-duty members, retired military members and provides temporary housing to spouses of enlisted members who have passed away while on active duty or to active-duty members when tragedies occur.

The Air Force Village Charitable Foundation focuses on providing care for retired Air Force officers' widowed spouses who need financial assistance. AFVCF honors spouses for the sacrifices they made during their loved one's service.

The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation helps enlisted and officer retirees' surviving spouses. Primary beneficiaries include widows and active-duty spouses. Funds donated to the AFAF, and in turn to The LeMay Foundations, helps those who made sacrifices along with their active duty spouse.

"Retirement homes are generated from the AFAF," said Harris. "(For some retirees and their spouses) their money could be tied up in medical expenses. The AFAF gives them a place to stay. They take care of our people."

Air Force leadership, including Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James, Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Mark Welsh and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody, have signed a memorandum stating that this year's fundraising goal is $6.78 million.

For Malmstrom to do its part in helping to achieve the bigger picture, the base's goal is to raise $59,791.

"It's a program that helps relieve emergency financial stress," said Harris. "It helps Airmen and their families achieve their goals and improve their quality of life."