RAF Mildenhall kicks off AFAF campaign

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jonathan Light
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Airmen who are going through unexpected financial troubles may ask from time to time, "Where can I get a loan?"

Luckily, the Air Force developed a program to assist Airmen and their families in need of financial aid due to emergencies they could not plan for. That program is the Air Force Assistance Fund.

The 2015 AFAF campaign kicked off March 9, on RAF Mildenhall, England.

"The AFAF gives us all another opportunity to help our fellow Airmen when they need it most," said Col. Kenneth T. Bibb, Jr., 100th Air Refueling Wing commander.

The campaign will run until April 17, and RAF Mildenhall has set a goal to raise at least $54,585.

The AFAF campaign supports the following four charities, all existing to provide aid to Airmen:

· Air Force Aid Society is the official charity of the U.S. Air Force, whose mission it is to help relieve financial distress of Air Force members and their families and to assist them in financing their higher education goals. It's a non-profit organization and relies on individual donations to fund its activities. Every dollar donated to the AFAS goes directly to their emergency assistance programs.

· Air Force Enlisted Village is dedicated to providing housing for widows of retired military members. Because of frequent military moves, many spouses are left without careers, home equities, retirement plans or any significant assets.

· Air Force Village works with retired and honorably separated officers of any uniformed service, age 62 or above, the Air Force Village offers active living communities, and offers priority to retired Air Force officer widows and widowers in need of financial assistance.

· General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation provides financial assistance to widows of all retired Air Force personnel. The fund provides assistance as grants, based on the fact the widows served with their husbands in the Air Force through to retirement, and deserve to live out their lives in comfort and dignity.

"The four charities supported by the AFAF aren't charities people will see in the Combined Federal Campaign lineup. They're an example of Air Force people taking care of their own - Airmen helping Airmen," Bibb said. "Chief Master Sgt. Tracy Jones [100th ARW command chief] and I hope that everybody gives serious consideration to giving to these four worthy charities. Just a few dollars a month from your paycheck will ensure your fellow Airmen will have assistance they need when they need it most."