AFAF helps Airmen in times of crisis

The Air Force Assistance Fund was created to help raise funds in support of the Air Force family during times of need.

AFAF is made up of four different organizations: the Air Force Villages, the Air Force Aid Society, the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation and the Air Force Enlisted Village.

According to www.afas.org, the Air Force Aid Society is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help relieve financial distress of Air Force members and their families and to assist them in financing their higher education goals.

AFAS relies heavily on monetary donations in order to fund its activities, and for almost 71 years Air Force members have been contributing to AFAS.

These donations fund emergency assistance programs and help AFAS put money aside so emergency assistance needs can be met, and education programs can be strengthened.

Tech. Sgt. Andrew Benton, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa public affairs band flight chief, set up a fundraiser in his office and raised more than $420 for AFAF. Members brought food and all who attended donated to the charity.

“The Air Force Assistance Funds donates money to enlisted and officer Air Force members in times of need,” Benton said. “Everyone needs help and AFAF is set up to help their own family.”

All the organizations that make up AFAF focus on different ways to assist Air Force members and their families. Whether helping widows during times of financial crisis or paying for a plane ticket home during emotional turmoil, AFAF has been there to help lighten the burden for those in need.

This year’s AFAF campaign is being held by active-duty Air Force bases between February and May. Active-duty installations conduct their campaigns for six consecutive weeks within the campaign window.