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The Air Force Assistance Fund kicks off its campaign Monday on Ramstein, and it will last through April 10.
AFAF is a six-week campaign that raises money for the Air Force Aid Society, Air Force Enlisted Village, Lemay Foundation and Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation.
“We are challenged to be good wingmen every day, and this is just another opportunity to help someone out when they need it most,” said Capt. Jason Glitz, AFAF installation project officer. “With our donations, Airmen receive needed funds, and nobody is turned away from the retirement communities because they are unable to afford it.”
AFAS provides emergency and educational assistance to Airmen of all ranks and their families. It also provides programs such as Phone Home and Bundles for Babies, both of which are initiatives set in place to help alleviate common military life stress.
The General and Mrs. Curtis Lemay Foundation lends a financial hand to widows and widowers through assistance grants for various needs.
Air Force Villages offers a home to spouses and family of officer and enlisted members who died on active duty or to active-duty members when tragedy strikes.
The AFAF campaign gives Airmen the opportunity to help out their fellow wingmen, whether that wingman works right next to them or is someone they have never met.
“Recently, I lost my grandmother to pneumonia,” said Tech. Sgt. Tony Eclavea, AFAS recipient. “As a young child, my father was a single parent, and my brother and I lived with my grandmother. Thanks to the support from my chain of command and the Air Force Aid Society, I was able to get the closure with my grandmother I so desperately needed. I am forever grateful for the assistance that I received.”
Airmen of all ranks, active duty, Guard, Reserve and retirees are able to donate to the aforementioned charities. Active duty and retirees can benefit from them, as well as Guard and Reserve members under certain circumstances.
“Giving a little bit each month over the course of the year through payroll deduction is a great way to help,” Glitz said. “If that’s not feasible, then you can give a one-time cash donation; even $10 helps. The money donated comes right back to our Airmen, your friends and neighbors.”
To wrap up the campaign, the Ramstein AFAF committee will host a golf tournament April 10 at Ramstein’s Woodlawn Golf Course. Anyone with access to the base can sign up for the tournament.
Contact unit project officers to make a donation to AFAF or participate in the golf tournament.
For more information on AFAF, visit www.afassistancefund.org or, on the affiliated charities, visit www.afas.org.
For information on how to obtain financial assistance, contact the Airman & Family Readiness Center, Bldg. 2120 on Ramstein, at 480-5100/5900 or 06371-47-5100/5900.
