Incirlik Airmen launch AF Assistance Fund campaign Published April 5, 2011 By Tech. Sgt. Valda Wilson 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- Team Incirlik personnel held a kick-off breakfast to officially start the 2011 Air Force Assistance Fund campaign here April 5, at the Sultan's Inn Dining Facility. The AFAF is an annual Air Force fundraising campaign that will run from March 29 through May 6 this year. 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, visit the website at, http://www.lemay-foundation.org/ Contributors can choose the organization(s) they would like to donate to, and can make a one-time cash donation or can set up contributions via payroll deductions. All donations are voluntary and private, AFAF officials said. "I've seen the Air Force Aid Society do some wonderful things for military families and retirees," said Sharon Proctor, the AFAS officer for Incirlik. Incirlik Airmen received $32,520 in assistance from the AFAS in 2010. When asked how he felt about collecting for the charities, Tech. Sergeant Shawn Scates, from the 39th Maintenance Squadron, and an AFAF unit project officer, reflected on his personal experiences with the charitable organizations. "As a young senior airman assigned here to Incirlik, I found out my father passed away, and I didn't have the money to buy a last minute ticket. The Air Force Aid Society sent me home," Sergeant Scates said. " I recommend this program to all Airmen." Knowing the reasons behind the charities gives him more pride and drive to do what needs to be done to help those in need, Sergeant Scates added. Chief Master Sgt. Marcus Snoddy, the 39th Air Base Wing command chief, also shared his personal story. "When I was a staff sergeant stationed at Langley [Air Force Base, Va.], I was a single parent and lost my mother and, 4 months later, I lost my sister. I'd gone into an excess leave status so I had no leave and ended up with a zero paycheck," Chief Snoddy explained. "In order to get to my sister's funeral, the Air Force Aid Society granted me a little over $600 to fly from Langley and back." Chief Snoddy added that he has continuously given generously to the Combined Federal Campaign and the AFAF because they are truly about Airmen taking care of Airmen. The Incirlik goal is to raise $26,870. If the base reaches this goal and has at least 50 percent participation from Incirlik personnel, the base is eligible to receive a $2,500 cash award from the AFAF that can be used to directly support Airmen on Incirlik Air Base. "We raised $9,705 in our first week," said Capt. Mark Olson, from the 39th Medical Operations Squadron, and the AFAF installation project officer, "That's 36 percent of our Air Force Goal, and that's fantastic for the people of Incirlik." Last year, the entire campaign raised $48,136. Volunteer unit representatives have facts, brochures and donation forms for all who are interested in contirbuting. The AFAF committee is also partnering with the American Forces Network-Incirlik to hold a telethon fundraiser May 4. If you would like to donate to the 2011 AFAF campaign, contact your unit representative or Captain Olson at DSN 676-6123.