Sheppard kicks off 34th Annual AFAF campaign

  • Published
  • By Maj. Dee Ann Mejia
  • AFAF installation project officer
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The 34th Annual Air Force Assistance Fund launched here Feb. 12 with a target goal of $88,693 during the six-week "Commitment to Caring" campaign.

Last year, 66 percent of all eligible Sheppard members made AFAF contributions, the second highest rate in Air Education and Training Command. More than $166,500 was donated, $78,000 over the goal.

Monies raised during the campaign will be donated to four Air Force affiliates: the Air Force Aid Society, the Air Force Enlisted Village Foundation, the Air Force Village Foundation and the General and Mrs. Curtis LeMay Foundation. Each of these organizations provides assistance to Air Force members and their families during times of need.

Here is a closer look at what each entity does:

Air Force Aid Society: AFAS is the official charity of the U.S. Air Force. Its charter is to provide emergency financial assistance to active duty members and their immediate families. It also provides monetary assistance to Air Reserve and Air National Guard personnel serving on extended active duty status. Air Force retirees and widows can also be considered for financial assistance on a case-by-case basis. Last year, AFAS provided $19.6 million to over 33,000 personnel. Learn about AFAS by visiting www.afas.org.

The Air Force Enlisted Village (formerly the Air Force Enlisted Widows Home): AFEV has provided over 38 years of service to widows, surviving spouses and dependents of retired enlisted Air Force, Guard and Reserve military members. The U.S. Air Force is the only DoD branch that provides a retirement community exclusively for widows of career enlisted members. Learn more about the Air Force Enlisted Village at www.afenlistedwidows.org.

The Air Force Village Foundation: AFVF is provides retirement living, with access to continuing health care, for military officers who served honorably and their spouses, with priority to retired Air Force officer widows and widowers in need of financial assistance. Visit them at www.airforcevillages.com.

The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation: The LeMay Foundation has provided financial care to Air Force officer widows since 1987. In 1998, they expanded their charter to provide care for financially-strapped spouses of all retired Air Force ranks. By providing monetary assistance, surviving spouses can continue to live in their own homes without struggling to make ends meet. Learn more about the LeMay Foundation at www.afvw.com/lemay.html.

For more information about the AFAF campaign, call Maj. Dee Ann Mejia at 676-1498 or Capt. Michael Spaulding at 676-4264.

2007 AFAF Group and Tenant POCs

82nd Training Wing Staff Agencies:
Tech. Sgt. Edward Simonds

80th Flying Training Wing:
Capt. John Blocher

82d Medical Group:
Master Sgt. James Harris

82nd Mission Support Group:
Master Sgt. Terina Nowlin
Staff Sgt. Lina Jones
Staff Sgt. Melissa Sims

782nd Training Group:
Capt. Majken Tutty
Master Sgt. Roy Mills

882nd Training Group:
Master Sgt. Kevin Hayden
Master Sgt. Michael Nelson

982nd Training Group:
Master Sgt. John Mills
Staff Sgt. Paul Weiskircher

Area Defense Counsel:
Tech. Sgt. Scott Brouso

Army and Air Force Exchanges Dallas HQ:
Tech. Sgt. Syravun Neal

UNT ROTC:
Staff Sgt. Vincent L. Manners

TCU ROTC:
Tech. Sgt. Auturo Salcedo

344th Recruiting Squadron:
Tech. Sgt. John Pantoja