Annual AFAF campaign kicks off March 22

By Maj. Htein Lin, 82nd Training Wing / Published March 18, 2021

Sheppard leaders kickoff 2021 AFAF campaign

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Leadership from the 82nd Training Wing and the 80th Flying Training Wing pose for a photo with representatives of the Air Force Assistance Fund program at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, March 17, 2021. The AFAF at Sheppard AFB is unique, compared to other bases within Air Education and Training Command, due to the large student population. Airmen of all ranks as well as dependents often experience unexpected life expenses which require additional support. The AFAF can help to mitigate those costs and soften the impact of a crisis during a time of need.. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Pedro Tenorio)

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Brigadier General Kenyon Bell and Chief Master Sgt Wayne Jones ask Sheppard AFB for support during this year's Air Force Assistance Fund drive.

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Brig. Gen. Kenyon Bell, 82nd Training Wing commander, left and Col. Robert Haas, 80th Flying Training Wing commander, sign an Air Force Assistance Fund proclamation at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, March 17, 2021. The AFAF is an annual effort to raise funds that contribute to four charities that provide support to our Air Force family in need. Beneficiaries of these charities include active duty, retirees, reservists, guard and our dependents, including surviving spouses. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Pedro Tenorio)

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SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas – 2020 was a challenging year for everyone.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had its reach across every nook and cranny of the world. Our military members, their families and retirees felt the personal, financial, emotional, and physical toll this pandemic has brought to our daily lives.

For those needing support, the Air Force Assistance Fund charities have been a lifeline and crucial in helping Airmen, families and retirees through their hard times. To highlight one of the charities, the Air Force Aid Society provided $2 million in support to Airmen, Guardians, and their families impacted by COVID-19.

As we move forward in 2021, AFAF charities continue to play a crucial role in supporting those who support and have supported our missions. To give back and take care of our own, our AFAF Campaign installation goal this year is to raise $49,000. While pandemic mitigations and limited desk-to-desk contact for our key worker and volunteers make campaigning and outreach difficult, I know Team Sheppard is up to the challenge of attaining this goal.

All the donations that we give directly benefits the four charities that take care of Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Some of the support they provide include:

The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation supports widows and widowers of Air Force retirees, both officer and enlisted, in the event of a financial need, by giving grants of assistance.
The Air Force Enlisted Village, for enlisted widows and widowers, and the Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation, for officer widows and widowers, provide a secure and friendly place to live among friends with a similar background.
The Air Force Aid Society helps active duty Airmen and Guardians in times of emergencies by providing loans and grants, and supports base enhancement programs.

The annual AFAF Campaign for Sheppard AFB will officially kick off on March 22 with this year’s theme being “For Airmen and Guardians, by Airmen and Guardians.” We will initiate the campaign with volunteers stationed at various high traffic locations across SAFB on March 22-23 to spread awareness of this campaign. Key workers within your units will also be reaching out on a one-on-one personal basis throughout the entire campaign period.

You may also donate directly to the campaign by going to www.afassistancefund.org and clicking the “Donate Now” button, or by texting “AFAF” to 50155. Be sure to select SHEPPARD as your base on the e-giving form. You may also enter your unit of assignment without spaces (i.e. 361TRS, 459FTS, and etc.) to add to your unit’s contribution numbers.

For questions about volunteering with the campaign, participating in the events, or donating, please contact your unit key workers or this year’s Installation Project Officers (Maj. Htein Lin at 940-676-5777 or Master Sgt. Jacob Benke at 940-676-3466).