Last chance to participate in AFAF campaign

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Melissa Kappenman
  • 82nd Training Wing Staff Agency AFAF Representative
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The last opportunity for the Sheppard community to participate in, and contribute to, the Air Force Assistance Fund will be at the Annual AFAF Golf Tournament April 16.

The tournament will be held at the Wind Creek Golf Course at 1 p.m. This will be the last AFAF donation-contributing event Sheppard will have before the numbers are added and reported for the base's goal this year.

The AFAF specifically supports the Air Force community. It is not federally or state funded. The fund is supported through private, individual and foundation contributions. This campaign was established as an annual effort to raise funds for affiliates and provide support for the Air Force families in need.

The AFAF supports the Air Force Aid Society, which offers emergency interest-free loans to service members when family living or emergency expenses become overwhelming. It also supports the Air Force Enlisted Village, which provides homes for the surviving spouses of retired enlisted Air Force members.

Another way the AFAF supports the Air Force family is through the Air Force Village, which cares for retired Air Force officer widows who need financial assistance. The fund also supports the LeMay Foundation, which awards grants to enlisted and officer retirees and their spouses.

During the 2010 AFAF campaign, the 82nd Training Wing has contributed $107,406, the 80th Flying Training Wing has contributed $12,583 and the Wing Staff Agencies, along with the 82nd Comptroller Squadron, have donated $2,718.

The training groups also contributed significantly with donations of $53,948 from 82nd Training Group, $11,442 from the 782nd TRG, $13,929 from the 882nd TRG, $2,238 from the 982nd TRG, $17,761 from the 82nd Medical Group and $5,368 from the 82nd Mission Support Group.

This totals more than $119,000 and over 100 percent of the goal for Sheppard's contribution to the fund this year. However, Team Sheppard takes pride in going above and beyond, which is why it is so important for the Sheppard community to take part in this last event.

Each person contributing to the AFAF is giving a hand to those in the Air Force family when it is needed the most.

The AFAF Golf Tournament is $30 per person, plus green fees. For more information, please contact Master Sgt. Hieskill at 676-6553 or Tech. Sgt. Duncan at 676-4095.