AFAF: A campaign for Airmen helping Airmen

by Airman 1st Class Joshua Smoot
341st Missile Wing Public Affairs

3/28/2014 - MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- In the Air Force, there are numerous programs put in place to help Airmen out. But some may not know that Airmen can give back to a specific few of these beneficial programs.

The Air Force Assistance Fund is a campaign that helps raise funds for four charitable affiliates. These organizations help members of the Air Force family financially with emergencies, educational needs and secure retirement homes for widows or widowers of Air Force members.

The four charities are the Air Force Aid Society, Gen. and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation, Air Force Enlisted Village and Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation.

"Each charity is unique in their mission," said 1st Lt. Katrina Kodis, 341st Medical Support Squadron resource management flight commander and Malmstrom's AFAF program officer. "However, all charities provide for Airmen and their families. Airmen should get to know each of the four charities then they can make a choice that they believe in. Each charity helps support the Airman and their family; now or in their future."

Air Force Aid Society
The Air Force Aid Society is one of the most common assistance programs, touching an average of 40,000 Airmen each year. It provides $20 million in emergency assistance to eligible Airmen and their families, along with $6 million in need-based education grants for eligible spouses and dependent children. It also provides various proactive community programs to help improve quality of life. More information can be found online at www.afas.org.

Gen. and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation
The LeMay Foundation awards grants to enlisted and officer retiree's spouses, primarily stalwart windows who supported their families and active-duty spouses. Grants have been given away through the LeMay Foundation to widows with monthly incomes that fall below the poverty line as well as one-time grants given for necessities such as wheelchairs and prosthetics. For more information, visit www.lemay-foundation.org.

Air Force Enlisted Village
The Air Force Enlisted Village provides the entire Air Force family, with a primary focus on spouses, with the gift of a home. It offers a community home to mothers of active-duty and retired military members. It also provides temporary housing for surviving spouses of enlisted members who die while on active duty or to the active-duty members if a tragedy strikes. More information can be found at www.afev.us.

Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation
The Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation provides retired Air Force officer's widows needing financial assistance with a retirement community home. Since 1970, the charity has provided $13 million in confidential support to approximately 500 widowed spouses. For more information, visit www.airforcevillages.com.

Last year the AFAF campaign [at Malmstrom AFB] raised $48,000 and the bar has been raised this year.

"The goal for this year's campaign is $56,000," Kodis said. "I am confident we can surpass this year's goal. Each and every one of us has the power to change lives through the AFAF campaign and I know that many Malmstrom Airmen will step up to be a part of this great cause. Even the smallest donation has the power to make a difference. A few dollars a month will ensure our fellow Airmen will have the assistance they need when they need it most."

The money raised during AFAF goes directly to members of the Air Force family in a time of need. Airmen can contact a key worker within their unit to donate.

"Every contribution has an impact," Kodis said. "Giving up your morning cup of coffee once a week and giving that money to AFAF instead can make all the difference to an Airman in need."