Barksdale Airmen gear up for start of AFAF

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Allison M. Boehm
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Barksdale, home of Air Force Global Strike Command headquarters, is preparing for the 2011 Air Force Assistance Fund Campaign to kickoff Feb. 14.

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

"Contributions to the AFAF will lend critical support to your fellow Airmen and their families," said Capt. Jordan Filer, AFAF installation project officer. "Unlike other fundraising events on the base, these funds go to one of four charities, all of which go back to Airmen."Our focus for the 2011 campaign is to increase Barksdale's knowledge of the AFAF itself and ultimately increase the number of members who contribute to this honorable cause."

Last year, Barksdale's 2010 AFAF campaign proved successful as base personnel donated enough funds to reach 100 percent of the base's goal. From March 29 to May 7, Team Barksdale raised more than $100,220 - almost $25,000 more than 2009.

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 which will be announced closer to the start date.

Last year's installation project manager, Capt. Dennis Widner, 2nd Logistics Readiness Squadron material management flight commander hopes this year's donations will be as generous as last years.

"Barksdale members take their responsibilities to heart and relay the fact that the AFAF is truly Airmen taking care of Airmen."