‘Taking Care of Our Own’ AFAF campaign launches

Efforts to support Airmen in need and others in the Air Force community who deserve support are off to a good start as the 47th annual Air Force Assistance Fund campaign at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base launched March 2 and runs through April 10.

With a new theme of “Taking Care of Our Own – For Airmen, By Airmen,” the campaign raises funds for AFAF-affiliated charities that assist active-duty, Reserve, Guard and retired Air Force personnel and their families, said Lt. Col. William Holl, AFAF installation project officer.

This year’s campaign goal is $107,346, which is only 11% of Wright-Patt’s calculated potential.

A low-key kickoff event will coincide with March’s First Friday on March 6 at the Wright-Patterson Club starting at 3:30 p.m., with 88th Air Base Wing senior leadership expected to participate, Holl said.

Trainings have been conducted and unit project officers are already gathering contributions and pledge forms.

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

Many Airmen at Wright-Patterson AFB benefited from AFAF contributions last year, Holl said, with a total of more than $161,000 going to 267 recipients.

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.

E-giving is new this year

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 by cash, check or payroll deduction by completion of 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 Holl at 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.

Additional information on AFAF is available online at www.afassistancefund.org.

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