Keesler ramps up AFAF fundraising efforts

Published April 21, 2011
By Susan Griggs
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Keesler is ramping up its efforts to bring in financial resources for the Air Force Assistance Fund before the May 6 deadline.

As of Monday, Keesler has pledged $33,475, more than 40 percent of this year's goal of $83,109, according to 2nd Lt. Joshua Anson, 81st Logistics Readiness Squadron, who serves as project officer.

Tuesday's "AFAF reenergizer" bowling tournament was just one effort to boost the coffers as unit fundraising efforts continue.

Most Keesler members and their families are familiar with the Air Force Aid Society, but three other official Air Force charities benefit from the annual fundraising campaign.

Air Force Aid Society

Across the Air Force last year, direct assistance from the Air Force Aid Society totaled $18.3 million and helped 39,000 Airmen and their families. Traditionally, Keesler has received even more than it contributes to the AFAF campaign. According to Linda Edison, Keesler's AFAS officer, Keesler's fundraising goal for last year's campaign was $77,528, but the base received $233,608 in return for loans, grants, community enhancements and educational programs that aided 423 individuals.

During 2010, Ms. Edison said the base received more than $181,000 in emergency assistance loans and grants to help with funeral costs, vehicle expenses, emergency travel, medical and dental bills, child care and respite assistance, moving costs and other miscellaneous needs. More than $40,000 was used to support family-oriented programs such as Bundles for Babies, Give Parents a Break and other services for the Keesler community. Six students were assisted with Hap Arnold Scholarship Grants totaling $12,000.

LeMay Foundation

The Gen. and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation helps widows of all Air Force retirees, both officers and enlisted, through financial grants of assistance.

"These widows spend much of their lives coping with the difficulties of military life, and supporting their spouses through years of active duty," the foundation'sWeb site explains. "We are not interested in why they need help, only that they need it. We provide assistance for as long as it is required. We have several widows who have been receiving monthly checks for more than six years. We also help Air Force widows with a specific need they may be facing in a single disbursement. We do not offer loans. All funds disbursed are considered grants."

Air Force Village

Air Force Village was founded by the Air Force Officers' Wives' Clubs 47 years ago. Its mission is to provide a dignified, appropriate and cost-effective retirement community for the widows of retired Air Force officers. Today, the Air Force Village continue to care for widows in need, including health care services as one of San Antonio's top retirement communities. In 2007, the Air Force Village successfully completed a campaign to begin building an endowment that will assist the widows who, through no fault of their own and often as a result of tragic circumstances, have exhausted their financial resources.

"These women were the wives of Air Force officers and they selflessly served their country alongside their husbands," the Air Force Village Web site states. "We are here to respectfully
let them know they have not been forgotten."

Additionally, Air Force Village has established a separate fund that offers assistance to widows and widowers of retired officers representing all U.S. military branches.

Air Force Enlisted Village

The Air Force Enlisted Village was founded in 1967 to provide a safe, secure and dignified home and financial assistance for needy surviving spouses of retired Air Force personnel and mothers of current active-duty Airmen. The surviving spouse with the greatest need is cared for first and none are refused assistance due to financial status. "Low pay and frequent military moves leave some spouses without careers, home equities, retirement plans or any significant assets," the Air Force Village Web site points out.

"Surviving spouses requiring financial assistance live here among peers sharing memories of Air Force life without the stigma normally associated with subsidized housing facilities."