Air Force Assistance Fund, Army Emergency Relief campaigns start

by Air Force Staff Sgt. Blake Mize
JBER Public Affairs

3/13/2014 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- The Army Emergency Relief campaign is underway at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and the Air Force Assistance Fund campaign will soon follow suit.

The purpose of both campaigns is to educate the JBER populace about the programs and who they support, and to garner donations.

Each program is in place to provide a safety net to members of their respective service.

"AER provides financial assistance to Soldiers and their families who experience unexpected financial hardships, such as emergency travel, funeral expenses or
essential vehicle repairs," said Salafai Ieremia, Army Emergency Relief officer. "Every case is unique and the form of assistance, either interest-free loans, grants or a combination of both, is determined by the Soldier's individual situation."

In addition to emergency relief, AER provides scholarships to spouses and children of active duty Army personnel and retirees, and financial support to surviving families of deceased Soldiers, Ieremia said.

The AFAF has a similar mission.

"The AFAF campaign is an annual, on-the-job fundraising appeal conducted among Air Force personnel for the benefit of Air Force personnel," said Air Force Master Sgt. John Smith, 673d Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter and JBER's AFAF installation project officer this year. "AFAF campaign contributions provide financial support to four AFAF affiliates."

The four causes the AFAF funds are the Air Force Village, the Air Force Aid Society, the Air Force Enlisted Village and the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation.

According to their websites, the Air Force Village provides a dignified, comfortable, affordable retirement community for the widowed spouses of retired Air Force officers.
Air Force Aid Society emergency assistance is available to Airmen and their eligible family members to meet immediate needs in an emergency situation.

The Society provides interest-free loans and grants based on the individual situation.
The Air Force Enlisted Village provides a safe, secure and dignified place for indigent surviving spouses of retired Air Force personnel.

And the LeMay Foundation helps widows of all Air Force retirees, both officers and enlisted, through financial grants of assistance.

These organizations do not solicit support through the annual Combined Federal Campaign. They are an example of Air Force people taking care of their own, Smith said.
The campaigns are identical in how they accept donations.

Since only active duty personnel and retirees from the Army and Air Force may benefit from the funds, they are the only ones representatives can solicit for donations. Civilians and military personnel from other services can donate, but they should not be asked to do so.

Methods of donation include a payroll allotment, cash or check. However, only active duty personnel and retirees may make payroll allotments.

"We are asking for an annual contribution of 0.2 percent of annual base pay, but any amount will help these great organizations," Smith said. "These charitable affiliates all support the Air Force family and rely largely on volunteer contributions through the AFAF campaign."

As an example, 0.2 percent of base pay for an airman would equate to a $3.43 per month donation for one year. For a 12-year master sergeant, it would be $7.83 a month, and for a 16-year lieutenant colonel, $15.95.

AER runs from March 1 through May 15 and the AFAF runs from March 24 through May 2.
For more information about AER, contact Salafai Ieremia at 384-7478 or visit www.aerhq.org.

For more information about the AFAF and its affiliated charities, contact Air Force Master Sgt. Frank Wright at 551-0007, Air Force Master Sgt. Louis Ochoa at 551-6516 or Air Force Master Sgt. John Smith at 552-4478 or visit www.afassistancefund.org.

Unit project officers and key workers will visit work centers to provide information and answer questions once the campaign begins.