AFAF underway at Barksdale

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Alyssa C. Wallace
  • 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  The 2010 Air Force Assistance Fund Campaign is ongoing now through May 7 here.

According to the campaign's Web site, the AFAF was established to provide for an annual effort to raise funds for the charitable affiliates that provide support to the Air Force family -- active duty, retirees, reservists, guard and their dependents, including surviving spouses. The organizations provide assistance to the Air Force family in the form of aid in emergency, educational needs, or to have a secure retirement home for widows or widowers of Air Force members in need of financial assistance.

"The AFAF is truly Airmen helping Airmen," said Capt. Dennis Widner, 2d Logistics Readiness Squadron material management flight commander and AFAF installation project manager. "Unlike other fundraising events on the base, these funds go to one of four charities, all of which go back to Airmen - active duty, retirees or their widows.
"More people receive help from this campaign than they even know," he continued. "If you or a loved one has ever used Car Care Because We Care or Parent's Night Out, you've benefited from the AFAF campaign."

The four charities Airmen can donate to are the Air Force Aid Society, Air Force Enlisted Village Indigent Widow's Fund, Air Force Villages Indigent Widow's Fund and the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation.

The AFAS is the official charity of the Air Force and provides Airmen and their families with worldwide emergency financial assistance, education assistance and an array of base level community-enhancement programs.

The Air Force Enlisted Village Indigent Widows' Fund provides rent subsidy and other support to indigent widows and widowers of retired enlisted people 55 and older. More information is available at www.afenlistedwidows.org.

The Air Force Villages Indigent Widows' Fund supports the Air Force Village in San Antonio, a life-care community for retired officers, spouses, widows or widowers and family members. The Air Force Village Web site is www.airforcevillages.com.

The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation provides rent and financial assistance to indigent widows and widowers of officers and enlisted people in their own homes and communities. The LeMay Foundation Web site is www.afvw.com/lemay.html.
To donate, Airmen must contact their squadron's point of contact.

Barksdale reached 85 percent of its goal is 2009 -- raising more than $76,000 in support of the AFAF. In turn, the base received more than $237,000 through 373 interest-free grants and loans. This year's goal is $100,221. The captain encourages those who can to review their finances, and donate, if feasible.

"I'd urge you to do the research and ask questions to those who can give you the correct information," Captain Widner said. "First sergeants as well as the Airman and Family Readiness Center can provide further information and even provide statistics for your respective units."

For more information, call the Airman and Family Readiness Center at 456-8400.

AFAF Squadron Contacts

Air Force Global Strike Command
Capt. Matthew Farrer, 456-3220
Capt. Daniel Vorhies, 456-0152
Capt. Louis Carvin, 456-6483
Tech. Sgt. Edith Eddington, 456-0136
Tech. Sgt. Christopher Knight, 456-8102
Tech. Sgt. Marcus McDonald, 456-0854
Capt. William Stevens, 456-7648
Tech. Sgt. Gabril Antone, 456-6167
Master Sgt. Brian Gmys, 456-0829
Master Sgt. Travis Chadick, 456-2163
Master Sgt. Daniel Dutton, 456-5105
1st Lt. Richard Myer, 456-9655
Staff Sgt. Josiah Bird, 456-9788
Tech. Sgt. Mike Harris, 456-9763

8th Air Force
Capt. Daniel Lambert, 456-3558
Capt. Andrea Tileston, 456-2506
Capt. Dominique Torres, 456-4614
Staff Sgt. Brittany Wells, 456-0204
Capt. Danny Lambert, 456-2826
Staff Sgt. Kira Hernandez, 456-0770
Tech. Sgt. Keenan Modica, 456-0629
Master Sgt. Barbara Schleben, 456-5673

2d Bomb Wing Staff
Master Sgt. Veronica McQueen, 456-5304

917th Wing
Maj. Silke Tietje, 456-1974

2d Maintenance Group
Senior Master Sgt. Amy Thomas, 456-7457

2d Maintenance Operations Squadron
Staff Sgt. Joshua Anderson, 456-0019
Staff Sgt. Martin Harrison, 456-2495

2d Maintenance Squadron
Master Sgt. Lacy Beanblossom, 456-7377

2d Munitions Squadron
Master Sgt. Jason Hurley, 456-2412

2d Medical Group
Staff Sgt. Julian Moore, 456-4018
Staff Sgt. Lemuel Dunnings, 456-6718
Tech. Sgt. Rachonn Williamson, 456-6418
Tech. Sgt. Latechia Barnes, 456-6924
Master Sgt. Donna Radford Dalton, 456-6165

2d Mission Support Group
Master Sgt. Chris Phillips, 456-4201

2d Civil Engineer Squadron
1st Lt. Lindsay Jaszlowiak, 456-2994

2d Communications Squadron
Master Sgt. Kenneth Madre, 456-4440

2d Logistics Readiness Squadron
Master Sgt. Monica Ray, 456-8547

2d Force Support Squadron
Tech. Sgt. Kenneth Shea, 456-7006

2d Security Forces Squadron
Senior Airman Veronica Christian, 456-2551
Senior Airman Amber Jimenez, 456-4407