We're number 1: Sheppard top AFAF donor in AETC, second in AF

  • Published
  • By John Ingle
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
Not only is Sheppard "technically the best" in Air Education and Training Command, but according to the Air Force Assistance Fund Website, it's also one of the most giving.

The 82nd Training Wing and 80th Flying Training Wing combined to raise about $160,000 during the annual AFAF Campaign, which ended March 26, easily eclipsing the original goal of $88,693. Sheppard was tops in AETC in dollar amount, followed by Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, with about $130,000.

The base was No. 2 as of March 26 in the Air Force in dollar amount. Air Force bases located in the Washington, D.C., area, including the Pentagon, combined for more than $195,000.

Sheppard was second only to Vance AFB, Okla., in percent of goal attained. Vance raised 198.8 percent of their goal, followed by Sheppard 172.3 percent.

Maj. DeeAnn Mejia, the installation project officer for Sheppard, said she expects that gap to shorten and the dollar amount to increase over the next couple weeks as donations from detachments and geographically separated units continue to filter their contributions to Sheppard. She said the base is about $18,000 away from hitting the 200 percent mark.

"It takes a while to close it out," the major said of the campaign, "because money keeps coming in."

In addition to individual contributions, several organizations on base hosted fundraisers, resulting in another $14,000 for the AFAF.

The leader of those fundraisers was the first-ever AFAF Basket Auction March 20 at the Sheppard Club. Forty-four baskets were auctioned off, bringing in more than $5,700.

The top-dollar baskets were the 89th Flying Training Squadron Banshees Basket, which sold for $375. The next top seller was Top 3 Scratch Off Tickets Basket for $320, followed by the 80th Operations Group German Basket for $300.

Other fundraisers included a skeet shoot, pump-a-thons, burrito sales, burger burns and pizza and movie night, to name a few.

Major Mejia said the campaign would not have been successful if the people behind the scenes were not available to assist. She said group and unit representatives helped reach out to personnel to donate to a worthy cause.

But, she said she wasn't surprised by the success of the campaign.

"I actually expected to do as well as we did," she said. "We always have a successful campaign."

Major Mejia said of the four benefactors of the campaign, the Air Force Aid Society received the largest donations because it's an avenue for Airmen to give back to Airmen.

For more information on the AFAF Campaign, visit www.afassistancefund.org.