For Airman and Guardians: Air Force Assistance Fund kicks off

  • Published
  • By Traci Howells
  • Air Force’s Personnel Center Public Affairs

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas – This year’s Air Force Assistance Fund campaign is in full swing across the Air Force this and next month. 

The annual fund raises money for four charities taking care of Airmen, Guardians and their families: The Air Force Enlisted Village, the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation, the Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation and the Air Force Aid Society.

“Though there are thousands of worthy charities to give to, this is the only official Department of the Air Force campaign that is ‘for us, by us,’” said Bill D'Avanzo, the Air Force’s fundraising chief. “This year’s theme [for the fund] is “For Airmen and Guardians, by Airmen and Guardians.”

Last year’s campaign raised $2.13 million for the charities, even as the pandemic shutdowns started the week after the campaign began. This year’s goal, Davanzo said, is to raise $4.5 million.

“It’s difficult for our campaign workers to go desk-to-desk with so many members teleworking,” D’Avanzo. “We’re doing what we can this year by using e-Giving platforms and peer-to-peer fundraising so our campaign workers have more tools at their disposal and our contributors have more avenues to donate.”

Senior Master Sgt. Keith Stolberg is the installation project officer for the campaign at the Air Force Academy. The campaigns runs March 15 - April 23 at the school.

“Last year was challenging,” he said. “There were certainly a lot of people hurting because of the coronavirus pandemic. The AFAF gives us another chance to take care of our own whether here at the Academy or across the Air Force. Contributing is a way for our staff, faculty and cadets to say ‘I’ve got your six.” This campaign is simply about people taking care of other people.”

The Air Force Aid Society helps active duty Airmen and Guardians during emergencies by providing loans and grants, and supports base enhancement programs. The Air Force Enlisted Village, for enlisted widows and widowers, and the Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation, for officer widows and widowers, provide secure and friendly places to live among friends with similar backgrounds. The LeMay Foundation supports the financial needs of widows and widowers of commissioned and enlisted Air Force retirees with grants.

D’Avanzo said the charities can only exist with financial support to the campaign.

“They are only able to continue providing assistance because our predecessors gave to the AFAF campaign for the past 47 years,” he said. “Now it’s our turn to pay it forward. Today we may be donating but tomorrow we may be calling for assistance.”

Airmen and Guardians may donate by visiting www.afassistancefund.org and clicking the donate button. Members can contribute via e-check, debit or credit card. To donate with a paper check, a donation form is available on the site to be filled out, printed and mailed in with the check. Payrolls deductions are available for retirees who donate.

Visit www.youtube.com/AFAssistancefund for informational videos about the AFAF.