Airmen encouraged to 'give until it hurts' for AFAF Published March 22, 2016 By Airman 1st Class Timothy Kim 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- The 43rd annual Air Force Assistance Fund campaign officially began with a kickoff event at the Club Eifel ballroom March 22. The annual campaign raises money for four charities that provide support for Airmen and their families in need of financial, educational or emergency assistance. "We don't compel people to give; it's not a shaming exercise," said U.S. Air Force Col. Joe McFall, 52nd Fighter Wing commander. "Motivate folks via good news stories and to why this is important. Give back, especially when our Airmen are in times of need. Give until it hurts." The organizations include: the Air Force Enlisted Village, the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation, Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation and the Air Force Aid Society. · The AFEV to provide a home to veterans who are homeless or living in less than desirable conditions and also provides for surviving spouses of retired enlisted Airmen in need of financial assistance. · The LeMay Foundation provides means to keep spouses in their homes by helping with monthly support for day-to-day living expenses and a one-time assistance to alleviate expenses associated with unexpected bills. · The AFVCF cares for retired Air Force officers' widowed spouses who need financial assistance and provides a safe, comfortable environment where widows(ers) are surrounded by friends in a home they cannot provide for themselves. · Since 1942, AFAS provides emergency assistance and proactive community programs and helps active duty and retired, enlisted and officers and their families. AFAS averages $16 million annually in assistance, helping over 60 thousand Airmen and their family members. For more information about the campaign, visit https://www.afassistancefund.org/ or contact your unit campaign representative.