AFAF campaign kicks off at Incirlik

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Krystal Ardrey
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  The 2015 Air Force Assistance Fund campaign kicks off March 24, 2015, here.

Last year, Incirlik AB had the second highest AFAF participation rate overall, which was based off of the size of the installation, amount of donators and amount raised. In total, Incirlik AB raised $51, 208.

"Incirlik itself benefits form the AFAF," said 1st Lt. Samuel Oas, AFAF installation representative. "I was shocked to see how much people actually received back from the program. It's not like you are just giving to random people either. It's great that we get to help people that we work with every day."

AFAF, which is one of two approved Air Force-level fundraisers, raises funds for four affiliated charities: The Air Force Aid Society, Air Force Village Foundation, Air Force Enlisted Village and the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation. This year, Incirlik has set a goal of raising a minimum of $24,187 with hopes of rising up to $60,000.

This annual campaign purpose is to raise funds for charities that provide support to Air Force members in an emergency, with educational needs or a secure retirement home for widows or widowers of Air Force members in need of financial assistance.

"The AFAF is awesome because it doesn't just help out veterans, but it helps active-duty Airmen and their families," said Staff Sgt. Anthony Acevedo, 39th Comptroller Squadron unit project officer.

This year the Incirlik AFAF Committee will be holding five fundraising activities:

March 24 - Kick-off breakfast, 9 a.m. at the chapel
March 27 - "Howl at the Moon" fundraiser at the club after Mega Moola
April 11 - Golf tournament, 8:30 a.m. at the golf course
April 23 - Armed Forces Network telethon, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. at AFN and the Base Exchange
April 25 - Softball tournament, time and location to be decided

Individuals wishing to donate may do so via cash or check, but active duty or retired members may also donate through automatic payroll deduction.

For more information or to donate, contact a unit representative or visit http://afassistancefund.org.

- 39th Air Base Wing Staff Agency: Master Sgt. Chasitity Gullatt and Senior Airman Krystal Ardrey
- 39th Civil Engineer Squadron: Tech. Sgt. Donald Ingram and Tech. Sgt. Chris Genuardi
- 39th Communications Squadron: Master Sgt. Jamie Gallegos and Tech. Sgt. Rochelle Wilson
- 39th Comptroller Squadron: Staff Sgt. Anthony Acevedo and Airman 1st Class Lasondra Copeland
- 39th Contracting Squadron: 2nd Lt. Katie Foote and Tech. Sgt. David Delgado
- 39th Force Support Squadron: Tech. Sgt. Greg Seelie and Tech. Sgt. Aron Mueller
- 39th Logistics Readiness Squadron: Master Sgt. Keith Sutton and Tech. Sgt. Jonathon Marker
- 39th Maintenance Squadron: Master Sgt. Anthony Mastergeorge and Master Sgt. Chester Ward
- 39th Medical Group: Capt. Monica Cordova, Master Sgt. Suzanne Hawk and Master Sgt. Cristin Chiasson
- 39th Mission Support Group Staff: 1st Lt. Sam Oas and Senior Master Sgt. Todd Rosenzweig
- 39th Operations Squadron: Master Sgt. Charles Holbert
- 39th Security Forces Squadron: Staff Sgt. Jose Moran and Airman 1st Class Gerald Mena
- 425th Air Base Squadron/NATO: Master Sgt. Derrick Drennan and Master Sgt. Siam Bean
- 717th Air Base Squadron:  Senior Airman Robert Daniel and Senior Airman Austen Strait