The Air Force Assistance Fund, , which last year raised $6.7 million is a a fund that benefits active duty, reserve, guard, retirees, surviving spouses and families, kicks off March 30 and will run through May 11. As a 20 year Veteran myself, I know the benefits the existence of this fund has provided to some of my friends and co-workers through the years.  You never know when that emergency will arise that you couldn't plan for.  A death or family emergency in the family, and you don't have the funds for that exorbitant airfare to get you home tomorrow.  I definitely support it and hope you will too.


The Air Force Assistance Fund is an opportunity to serve our fellow airmen and their families, past, present and future, donating to the fund embodies the heritage of the Air Force: "mutual support before, during and after the fight."

-- Air Force Aid Society is the official charity of the Air Force, which can be accessed worldwide for emergency financial assistance. The top priority is assistance to active duty members and their families, but consideration is given to assisting retirees and widows on a limited, case-by-case basis. Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard members on extended active duty under Title 10 U.S.C. can also be eligible for emergency assistance when circumstances warrant. The Air Force Aid Society also offers education assistance programs, and an array of base-level community enhancement programs. Local family support centers can provide full details on programs and eligibility. Information is also available online at www.afas.org.

-- Air Force Enlisted Men's Widows and Dependents Home Foundation Inc. The home is located in Fort Walton Beach near Eglin AFB, Fla. The home foundation provides rent subsidy and other support to indigent widows and widowers of retired enlisted people who live among peers sharing memories of Air Force life without the stigma normally associated with subsidized housing facilities. Those eligible are widows and widowers, 55 and older, whose spouses were retired enlisted persons from the regular Air Force, Air National Guard or Air Force Reserve. For more information, send e-mail to afewh@emrald coast.com .

-- Air Force Village Indigent Widow's Fund. The village, located in San Antonio, is a life-care community for retired officers, spouses, widows or widowers and family members. Their indigent widows fund provides support to indigent widows and widowers of Air Force officers. For more information visit their Web site at www.airforcevillages.com.

-- General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation. Not all indigent widows or widowers want, or are able, to move to one of the retirement homes. The LeMay foundation provides rent and financial assistance to indigent officers' and enlisted widows or widowers in their own home and community. For more information visit the foundation's Web site at www.afvw.com/lemay.html.

Donations to the AFAF campaign can be made through cash or check contributions or payroll deduction. Contributors may designate their contributions to one or more of the four charities and 100 percent of their AFAF contribution is passed to their chosen charities. Contributions to the AFAF are deductible for Federal Income Tax purposes as an itemized deduction.

 According to the AFAF official Web site, the AFAF was established to provide an annual effort to raise funds for the charitable affiliates that provide support to Air Force families (active duty, retirees, reservists, guard and their dependents, including surviving spouses) in need.

For more information on the AFAF campaign, visit www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/votefund online, then scroll down the "Fundraising" column to Air Force Assistance Fund or visit: afassistancefund.org

The Airman and Family Readiness Center at both Eglin AFB & Hurlburt Field have full details on programs and eligibility requirements.