Incirlik Airmen exceed AFAF donation goals, campaign continues

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Valda Wilson
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  At the halfway point of the campaign, Incirlik Airmen have surpassed both the Air Force and 39th Air Base Wing goals for contributions to the 2011 Air Force Assistance Fund campaign, officials here said.

Even with the noted success, AFAF campaign officials want Incirlik Airmen to know the campaign is ongoing and it is not too late to make a donation.

The AFAF is an annual Air Force fundraising campaign established to raise funds for the charitable affiliates that provide support to the Air Force family, according to the AFAF website. The campaign runs from March 29 through May 6 this year and the theme for 2011 is "Commitment to Caring."

Contributions to the AFAF will support one of these four official Air Force charitable organizations:

-The Air Force Village. The Air Force Village was established in 1964, and is a retirement community for Air Force officer's spouses who need financial assistance. Surviving spouses are provided with a secure and comfortable environment to live. For more information visit the website at, http://www.airforcevillages.com/military-ccrc-community/

- The Air Force Aid Society. The Air Force Aid Society offers interest-free loans to servicemembers when living and emergency expenses become overwhelming. The AFAS has helped 39,000 Airmen and provided $18.3 million in assistance in its more than 68 years of existence. Visit the website at, http://www.afas.org/

-The Air Force Enlisted Village. The Air Force Enlisted Village has served as a haven for more than 1,500 surviving spouses since 1975. The organization provides housing to surviving spouses of enlisted members who died while on active duty. Visit the Air Force Enlisted Village website here, http://www.afenlistedwidows.org/

-The LeMay Foundation. The LeMay Foundation helps widows of all Air Force retirees--both officer and enlisted--by granting financial assistance. Find more information at the website, http://www.lemay-foundation.org/

"This year's campaign has been amazing," said Capt. Mark Olson, from the 39th Medical Operations Squadron, and the AFAF installation project officer. "We've already broken the Air Force assigned goal of $26, 870 and the wing's goal of $39,000."

So far, Incirlik's Airmen have donated $42,502 to the AFAF campaign; and over 60 percent of the donations are going to the Air Force Aid Society, which means the generosity of the Incirlik community will directly impact the Airmen here, AFAF officials said.

"One of the biggest ways AFAS helps the Incirlik community is by providing financial assistance [in] emergencies," Captain Olson added.

If you would like to donate to the 2011 AFAF campaign, contact your unit representative or Captain Olson at DSN 676-6123.

The AFAF committee is partnering with American Forces Network-Incirlik to host a telethon fundraiser May 4. To volunteer for the telethon, contact Capt. Shane Schmitt at 676-3147.