AFAF Campaign kicks off Published March 8, 2010 By Capt. Valerie Gregory, 49th Fighter Wing Legal Office Holloman Air Force Assistance Fund campaign representative HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The Air Force Assistance Fund campaign helps Airmen help their own, and until April 10, everyone will have an opportunity to get involved. Holloman's AFAF campaign goal this year has been set at $55,410. Last year, Holloman's Airmen pledged $53,172 and received $211,818 in total assistance. That's a 398 percent return! Holloman's campaign will include a mid-March steak/burger/brat-burn with the Top Three and Chiefs Group, followed by a pizza and burger drive March 24, when everyone who donates $10 or more will receive their choice of either a $10 gift certificate to a food establishment on base. Additionally, representatives armed with gift certificates will be accepting donations at predetermined locations throughout the base. Interested individuals should contact their unit AFAF representative for additional information. The overall AFAF effort, now in its 36th year, helps active duty, reserve, guard and retired Air Force members who are facing personal hardships from deployments, accidents, illness or death. It supports four organizations, all existing to provide aid to others -- the Air Force Aid Society, Air Force Enlisted Village Indigent Widows, Village Indigent Widow's Funds and the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation. Air Force Aid Society The AFAS is the official charity of the U.S. Air Force, whose mission it is to help relieve financial distress of Air Force members and their families and to assist them in financing their higher education goals. It is a non-profit organization and relies on individual donations to fund its activities. Every dollar donated to the AFAS goes directly to their emergency assistance programs. Air Force Enlisted Village This organization is dedicated to providing housing for widowed spouses of retired military members. Because of frequent military moves, many spouses are left without careers, home equities, retirement plans or any significant assets. Air Force Village For retired and honorably separated officers of any uniformed service, age 62 or more, the Air Force Village offers active living communities and offers priority to retired Air Force officer widows and widowers in need of financial assistance. General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation This foundation provides financial assistance to widows of all retired Air Force personnel. The fund provides assistance as grants, based on the fact the widows served with their husbands in the Air Force through to retirement and deserve to live out their lives in comfort and dignity. Together, we can reach the goal of $55,410 to support our comrades in uniform, those who have worn the uniform and the families that stand by them. You never know when you, or someone you know, will need it! I encourage anyone who wants to pledge this year to contact their unit AFAF representative. To find out who that is, or for more information, you can contact me at 575-572-4431.