TOP STORY>>Air Force Assistance Fund pays it forward

By Staff Sgt. JESSICA CONDIT
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

From March 3 to April 11, members of the Air Force have the opportunity to raise money and contribute to the Air Force Assistance Fund. This year, Team Little Rock’s goal is more than $98,000.

The Air Force Assistance Fund was established to provide a yearly effort to raise funds for active-duty service members, retirees, reservists, guard members and their dependents to include surviving spouses who are in need of emergency aid.

Airmen can contribute by having an allotment set up through MyPay or through a one-time contribution. When contributing with an allotment, a minimum of one dollar each month for at least three months is mandatory. One-time contributions made by check or cash have no minimum amount.

An Airman and their family may need assistance at any given time. With the AFAF organizations, Airmen have the opportunity to get this assistance and alleviate worry in the meantime. Staff Sgt. Joshua Baker, a 50th Airlift Squadron loadmaster and his wife Joleen Baker, a 314th Airlift Wing secretary, had the opportunity to experience this first hand when their son, Jimmy was born with a cleft lip in 2007.

After asking for assistance from the AFAF, the Bakers received a $3,500 medical grant to pay for expenses for Jimmy to be seen at Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii.

Giving to the AFAF helps military families, said Joleen during an interview in 2013. Joleen also expressed how proud she was to serve with such selfless givers.

While the Bakers received AFAF donations with the help of their first sergeant, many avenues of information on the AFAF and its four organizations are available to Airmen and their families. Chaplains, first sergeants and the Airman and Family Readiness Center all provide Airmen with resourceful information and point them in the right direction in order to obtain assistance.

The AFAF consists of four different organizations: the Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation, Air Force Aid Society, Inc., General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation, and the Air Force Enlisted Village.

For more information on the AFAF, its organizations, or to donate, visit www.afassistancefund.org or speak with your unit AFAF representative.