Hurricane devastation highlights need for AFAF donations

Lt. Col. Daniel Watson, now deputy chief of acquisition law, Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command, knows firsthand what it is like to live through a hurricane and deal with its aftermath, both personally and professionally.

That is why he said he wants to encourage the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base community to consider donating to the Air Force Assistance Fund.

Watson was stationed as staff judge advocate at Tyndall AFB, Florida, when Category 4 Hurricane Michael hit the panhandle Oct. 10 last year. The off-base home where his family of four lived was destroyed – just as much of base housing was.

As he staffed a table inside a claims center tent a week later with Airman and Family Readiness personnel from Eglin AFB, Florida, he saw them disperse Air Force Aid Society checks to the many affected individuals.

The checks were direct cash that helped Airmen with immediate needs and could be spent as they wished.

“As people were trying to sort out the pieces of their lives in a hurricane situation, the Air Force Aid Society provided checks that went directly to the people quickly, whereas insurance checks and other methods of recovery may take some time to get to you,” Watson said.

He highlighted a story about an Airman from Tyndall (https://afas.org/hurricane/air-force-aid-society-helps-airman-hurricane-evacuation/) who needed the help the AFAS provided. The bins he purchased with his $1,500 check (for an Airman with dependents) helped his family salvage and store the undamaged 40 percent of their belongings.

“The extent of the damage at Tyndall was beyond description,” Watson said. “It was real people, real lives affected. Checks were spent on clothing, hotel costs, replacing tires from all the nails on roadways, and more.

“I can’t emphasize enough how stressful a scenario like a hurricane is. The AFAS checks took a little bit of stress off,” he said. “Everyone has a different level of savings and access to credit. For folks who don’t have much, (the AFAS check) buys you some time.”

Having benefited from the AFAS, Watson said he wants to encourage people to participate in the AFAF campaign.

“The money you donate goes directly to Airmen affected by events like Hurricane Michael. We all want to help with certain circumstances. …. With the Air Force Aid Society, you are giving directly to other Airmen,” he said. “I saw it with my own eyes the good that the AFAS can do during a major disaster.

“They stepped up to the plate and were there with you to help. It was peace of mind,” Watson said.

Airmen have the option to donate to one or more of the four AFAF charities: Air Force Village Charitable Foundation, the Air Force Aid Society, the Air Force Enlisted Village and the Gen. and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation.

Civilians who wish to contribute to AFAF should contact their unit project officer.

Donations to the AFAF can be made by cash or check, and active-duty and retired members can utilize the convenience of payroll deduction via completion of a form. Contributions to the AFAF may be tax deductible. More information is available at http://www.afassistancefund.org.

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