Using the theme of “Taking Care of Our Own,” AFAF raises funds for its affiliated charities: Air Force Aid Society, LeMay Foundation, Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation and Air Force Enlisted Village.
The July push is being organized nationally to help the AFAF reach its goal.
This year’s campaign goal at Wright-Patterson AFB is $107,346, and $37,195 – or 35% of that goal – has been raised thus far, said Lt. Col. William Holl, AFAF installation project officer.
“The increase in COVID-19 cases, the importance of social distancing, wearing masks or simply staying at home are currently the topics being widely communicated,” said Master Sgt. Ashely Fuquay, one of the installation’s AFAF project officers. “What we aren’t hearing about are the needs of Airmen, which for some have multiplied due to furloughs, sick family members or having to plan funerals unexpectedly. The Air Force Assistance Fund can help offset costs and meet those needs, but we need your donations to make that possible.”
Last year, the AFAS alone paid out three times more than what was received in contributions from Wright-Patt.
“Due to the current situation caused by COVID-19, the Air Force Assistance Fund is still in great need to meet their established fundraising goal for this year,” Holl said.
Donors should still contact their unit project officer for a donation control number and provide their receipt to the project officer so they can enter the donation in the campaign tracker database.
The e-giving option is considered to be the primary source for giving, but the AFAF will accept cash and checks during this two-week campaign, Holl said.
How the AFAF’s charities help
The Air Force Aid Society, as well as the other three charities, exists to give a little bit of financial help to Airmen, their dependents and retirees, according to Holl.
“There are people coming out of our current situation that will have a need,” he said.
Community readiness consultants at the Airman & Family Readiness Center help coordinate AFAS loans and grants to Airmen at Wright-Patt. AFAS-assisted loans can cover such needs as basic living expenses, vehicle repairs or hardships arising from a spouse losing his or her job due to COVID-19. Those are instances where the AFAS can help after the Airman or retiree completes an application and his or her eligibility is verified.
Military, civilians may take part in campaign
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 the campaign QR code. Members can opt for payroll deduction or a one-time gift online.
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 signed digitally and turned into the unit project officer. Any military – active-duty, National Guard or Reserve – or retiree payroll deductions will start on Sept. 1 or Oct. 1 for retirees and will end on May 1 (active-duty, National Guard or Reserve) and June 1 (retirees) of 2021.
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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