AFAF campaign kicks off at Incirlik with telethon Published March 12, 2009 By Tech. Sgt. Joseph Kapinos 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- The 2009 Air Force Assistance Fund campaign is slated to begin March 16 and run through April 25. The campaign gives Airmen here a chance to donate to one of four AFAF programs, all of which are beneficial to the Air Force community. "Our goal for this year's campaign is 100 percent contact with all active-duty members and financial goal of $35K," said 1st Lt. Dan Mater, 39th Operations Squadron, the assistant AFAF installation representative. "Civilians on the base are also welcome to contribute, but the military cannot solicit donations." "We are also looking forward to a telethon for the AFAF campaign that will be held March 17, which we hope will raise more than $1,000 towards the total goal," said Lieutenant Mater. "People interested in participating in the telethon can view the rules and guidance on the commander's access channel." The AFAF was established to provide for an annual effort to raise funds for the charitable affiliates that provide support to the Air Force family (active-duty, reservists, guard and their dependents, including surviving spouses) in need." The programs included in this campaign are the Air Force Enlisted Village Foundation, the Air Force Village Foundation, the Air Force Aid Society and the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation, according to the organization. The Air Force Enlisted Village Indigent Widows' Fund helps surviving spouses of enlisted active duty, Guard and Reserve personnel along with helping surviving spouses of enlisted personnel who died on active duty. The Air Force Village Indigent Widows' Fund provides widows and widowers of career-retired Air Force officers with dignified, cost-effective housing options. The Air Force Aid Society is the official charity of the Air Force and is chartered to assist in relieving financial emergencies faced by active-duty members and their families. The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation is a national organization which provides financial assistance to widows of all retired Air Force personnel. The most important facet of the campaign is for each squadron representative to personally contact each squadron member, giving everyone a "one-on-one" briefing about the programs and the purpose of the campaign. "Our primary goal is to have all of our representatives contact each and every Airman in the groups they are responsible for," said Capt. Carina Harrison, 39th Force Support Squadron. "The financial goal is important, yes, but we want to give all of the wing's Airmen the opportunity to contribute if they want to." One of the programs Airmen can choose to contribute to is the Air Force Aid Society, which has had a direct and lasting impact on the Incirlik community. "Last year, the AFAS gave out more than $26,000 in loans and grants to help people here on Incirlik during emergencies," said Mr. Byron Clark, community readiness consultant and Air Force Aid officer. "In addition, the society donated $7,600 in community enhancements such as 'Bundles for Babies,' the 'Give Parents a Break' program and car care for spouses of deployed military members. They also gave away more than $28,000 in education grants and spouse tuition assistance." In the end, these programs have Airmen helping Airmen, which is good for everyone involved. This concept is what drove Captain Harrison to become the campaign project coordinator. "We are taking care of the people in the Air Force. It's not only active-duty personnel, but also Guard and Reserve members along with their spouses," said Captain Harrison. "Plus, as I remind people, you never know when that person in need may be you." For more information, refer to www.afassistancefund.org or contact your unit's AFAF representative. Captain Harrison may be reached at 676-6196 and Lieutenant Mater may be reached at 676-6984.