Team Incirlik kicks off AFAF campaign

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Veronica Pierce
  • Incirlik Air Force Assistance Fund installation project officer
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  The Air Force Assistance Fund annual campaign began March 24, at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey and geographically separated units located in Izmir and Ankara.

This year marks the 41st anniversary of Airmen helping Airmen through the AFAF. The AFAF campaign "Commitment to Caring" runs through May 2, here and anyone may contribute to any of the four charities.

Air Force Aid Society supports Airmen and their families with emergency financial assistance, educational loans, spouse tuition and base enhancement projects.

Also available are the Air Force Village and Air Force Enlisted Village that provides our retirees' widows and widowers with a home and caring community among fellow Air Force family members.

Another program, the LeMay Foundation, seeks out and provides widows of officer and enlisted Air Force retirees short or long term financial grants.

"The AFAF is an extremely important part of the Air Force," said 1st Lt. Kevin Evans, 728th Air Mobility Squadron AFAF unit project officer. "It provides Airmen a safety net in the event of a financial or personal emergency, services to assist Airmen through tough times, supports our Air Force retired via the Air Force Villages and Air Force Enlisted Villages, and assists widows of Air Force retirees."

Last year, $34,000 in AFAF donations was used to help Incirlik Airmen.

Unit representatives will be reaching out to personnel in their squadrons soon. These points of contacts will be able to provide more information about the charities, answer any questions you may have and give you the opportunity to donate if you choose. Members can make contributions in cash, check, money order or allotment.

"POCs will also look for volunteers to help with spreading the message and collecting donations," said Evans. "AFAF is program that encourages all Airmen to participate in any form."

The foundations supported by AFAF are 100% for the benefit of Airmen and their dependents, so I encourage all Airmen to volunteer or donate to the AFAF, said Evans.

Additionally, some are looking forward to viewing the AFAF telethon American Forces Network Incirlik will host, April 17. Telethon events will include a charity auction, song request, and even the opportunity to have a friend "arrested" with all profits going to AFAF.

"For a small price of one dollar per minute with a minimum of 30 minutes, you can arrest anyone of your choice," said Master Sgt. Jeremy Zier, AFN Incirlik detachment superintendent. "After being arrested and booked at the AFN studio, they can bail themselves out for the same price or have someone can call in a donation for that person to accept a challenge to reduce jail time. Or they can just wait out the jail time."

"Check out the Incirlik Facebook page and AFN TV/radio programming for more details," said Zier. "If you are interested in singing, playing an instrument, performing magic or anything the live audience may find amusing, contact Tech. Sgt. Thomas Hoover at 676-6162. This will be a fun event and we hope everyone can participate!"

If you are interested in setting up, filling in as live radio host or helping with miscellaneous tasks throughout the telethon, contact 676-6491.

The target dollar amount for this year's Incirlik Air Base AFAF campaign is $39,000, said Capt. Christopher Stewart, Incirlik Air Force Assistance Fund installation project officer. "With everyone's help, we can make this a successful campaign and meet our goal."