A forgiven loan from the Air Force Aid Society, part of the AFAF that assists active-duty, Reserve, Guard and retired Air Force personnel and their families, made it possible for Kennard to escort his mother’s remains home to Dothan, Alabama, in January 2019. A ceremony was then held to celebrate his mother’s life at the family’s longtime church.
“It was very tough financially to pay for a funeral, which I was able to take care of, but the Air Force Aid Society really helped ensure I could get back home without further debt,” he said. “I was 25 at the time; it was pretty rough. I couldn’t have done the ceremony for my mom without the help from the Air Force Aid Society. I am very, very grateful.”
His first sergeant made him aware of how the AFAS could help him, and he said it took only half an hour to apply at the Airman and Family Readiness Center to get what he needed to be able to fly back home.
Kennard said he has two groups he wants to encourage to engage with the AFAF and AFAS.
“I wasn’t well informed, so I’d like to see supervisors, leaders and commanders let service members know about this. The Air Force Aid Society is a great resource for people who need it. And it doesn’t have to be a life-changing catastrophe,” he said. “It can help people who are struggling a little bit.”
Kennard said he wants to thank past donors and encourage prospective donors.
“A lot of times they may not get to see what it does but hopefully they’ll be able to read my story and help someone else – especially during the times right now of what we are going through.”
Kennard is now married to Staff Sgt. Jessica Kennard, an air traffic controller at Wright-Patterson. He said he enjoys providing customer satisfaction at his office.
Giving is needed
“The campaign is still ongoing until May 8, and we desperately need donations,” said Lt. Col. William Holl, AFAF installation project officer, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. “Now more than ever with this COVID-19 pandemic, Airmen and their families may need financial assistance to get through this economic crisis, especially if their civilian spouses are out of work and their family income is significantly impacted.”
This year’s campaign goal is $107,346, which is only 11% of the base’s calculated potential. Wright-Patt has received $20,693 or 19.5% to goal currently.
Although there is a large civilian population at Wright-Patterson AFB, civilians cannot be solicited for donations but are invited to contribute. Civilians who wish to contribute to AFAF should contact their unit project officer. All who wish to participate need to contact their UPO for a control number.
How to e-give
The AFAF campaign is offering e-giving this year via texting AFAF to 50155 or scanning a QR code from one of the many posters that are being posted on base. Members can opt for payroll deduction or a one-time gift online.
One note: e-giving payroll deduction starts immediately and may overlap the previous campaign, which ran from June 1, 2019, to May 1, 2020, resulting in two deductions per pay period until May 1 this year.
In lieu of e-giving, donations to the AFAF can be made via payroll deduction by completing a pdf form provided by unit project officers that is then printed in triplicate and turned into the unit project officer.
Contributions to the AFAF may be tax deductible.
For more information, first contact a unit project officer. The installation project officers are Lt. Col. William Holl, AFAF installation project officer, 937-257-3424, william.holl@us.af.mil; Senior Master Sgt. Michael Stegen, 937-528-2929, michael.stegen@us.af.mil; and Master Sgt. Ashely Fuquay, 937-255-3491, ashely.fuquay@us.af.mil.
Additional information on AFAF is available online at www.afassistancefund.org.
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