AFAF – an opportunity to give back to AF family Published Feb. 29, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Tammie Moore 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Every year Airmen are asked to reach into their wallets to help their fellow Air Force family members through the official charity of the Air Force, the Air Force Assistance Fund. The AFAF campaign kicks off March 3 and runs through April 15. It provides Airmen the ability to assist others through a variety of programs designed to offer support, from financial assistance to care of military widows. The AFAF donation goal for the 52nd Fighter Wing, its tenant organizations and the geographically separated units is $86,172. "The AFAF is a great way for each of us to make a difference," said Chief Master Sgt. Vance Clarke, 52nd Fighter Wing command chief. "Providing one dollar or an allotment amount that contributes all year long are both great ways to help us help ourselves." The AFAF is designed to provide worldwide assistance to Airmen and their families. The four charities that benefit from the campaign drive are the Air Force Aid Society, the LeMay Foundation Indigent Widow's Fund, the Air Force Enlisted Village Indigent Widow's fund and the Air Force Indigent Widow's Fund. This ability to care for fellow Airmen and their families is critical according to Chief Clarke. "Developing Airmen and caring for their families is one of our Air Force goals," he said. "Taking care of people is one of our 52nd FW Saber goals. So, whether you make a one time donation or set up an allotment to one of the listed AFAF charities is a great help." Each base benefits from AFAS donations through financial emergency assistance, educational assistance and community enhancement programs. "Last year the 52nd FW raised $154,000 during the AFAF campaign, nearly twice our goal," said 2nd Lt. Perry Chaffee, installation AFAF project officer from the 52nd Munitions Support Group. "The base received back a whopping $240,936 in assistance from the AFAF." Of the funds distrusted back to the base, $79,669 went to Airmen for loans and grants, $113,739 went toward education grants and spouse's tuition assistance and $47,528 was applied to child care, phone cards and auto care. To reach the bases goal any donation, regardless of the size, makes a difference. "As I have said to many, the big things in life normally happen, but it is the little things that make the biggest difference," Chief Clarke said. "If you give a little - or a lot - it will make a difference in someone's life and will make us all better wingmen. Much of the monies will go to those who came before us and they are important to our successes we have today. Give a little bit; make a big difference." There are many avenues people go through to help others according to Lieutenant Chaffee, but he believes that for those with limited time, simply filling out an AFAF payroll deduction form is an easy way to extend a helping hand. "Though you'll never miss the money you give, somewhere there is an Airmen who will be forever grateful for the way their Air Force brothers and sisters were able to help them in their time of need," he said. "If it was our brother, sister, mother, father, son or daughter who found themselves in need, who among us would do nothing? The Air Force is a family as much as it is about family. The AFAF is an outstanding, and easy way to help support our Air Force family when they need it most. Talk to your unit rep today and pay it forward with AFAF." For more information about the AFAF, visit www.afassistancefund.org/ where links are available for each of the campaign's charities.