AFAF allows Dragons to aid AF families

Published March 26, 2017
By Master Sgt. Tammie Moore
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The Air Force Assistance Fund drive begins March 27 and runs through May 5 with the goal of raising $63,833 at Keesler Air Force Base to aid Airmen and their families through a wide variety of programs designed to provide support ranging from financial assistance to care for military widows.

“Pay if forward, these charities do a lot for our Air Force families,” said Capt. Tajuana Shuler, installation AFAF project officer from the 81st Medical Operations Squadron. “This campaign is by Airmen, for the Airmen. If you're not giving to help your fellow Airmen, who are you giving to?”

The AFAF is the official charity of the Air Force; designed to provide worldwide assistance to Airmen and their families. The four charities which benefit from the campaign drive are the Air Force Aid Society, the LeMay Foundation, the Air Force Enlisted Village and the Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation.

Each Air Force installation directly benefits from AFAS donations which provides funds for financial emergency assistance, educational assistance and community enhancement programs.

Last year, Keesler Airmen contributed $21,423 to AFAS through the AFAF campaign, according to the AFAF website. However, Keesler Airmen received $137,716 in various types of assistance and loans from AFAS in 2016.

"Please, don't be too busy; don't be too unsure or unknowledgeable to donate," Shuler said. “Whether you give $1, $12 or $112 dollars, your donation will help."

Donations can be made via cash, check, money order or payroll deduction. For more information about AFAF, visit www.afassistancefund.org or contact a unit AFAF representative.