Air Force's most important charity, most important meal of day combined

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt Tonnette Thompson
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The crowd, recently breakfasted on melon and doughnuts, sat in polite silence while the man at the podium relayed letters of gratitude from beneficiaries of the Air Force Assistance Fund.

Then the sound of ironic laughter rippled over the crowd as they realized one of the stories ended with a young man finishing law school, entering the military and becoming a judge advocate general - for the Army.

"Just goes to show we reach out to everyone," quipped Mr. Jim Gillespie, director of Airmen and Family Readiness.

Beyond that, the Feb. 5 AFAF kickoff breakfast at the Sheppard Club went along quietly. The event also marked the 65th year of the Air Force Aid Society's existence as the private, non-profit organization, then called the Army Air Forces Relief Society, that first came into being in 1942.

The official Air Force charity breaks down into four fund organizations: the AFAS, the Air Force Village Foundation for retired officers, and the Air Force Enlisted Village Foundation and the General and Mrs. Curtis LeMay Foundation for widows of retired Air Force personnel. The AFAS sponsors community programs at certain bases from 'Bundles for Babies' to 'Give Parents a Break.'

The projected base goal for donations this year is $88,693. Each group also has its own monetary goal.

"I believe we have a good chance of blasting through and even doubling our goal," said Brig. Gen. Richard Devereaux, 82nd Training Wing commander, no doubt referring to last year's base donation total of $166,547, which far surpassed last year's goal of $88,331.

"This is also an excellent opportunity to introduce our young Airmen to their Air Force charity. We can give a fantastic first impression of what Airmen helping Airmen is all about," he said.