AFAF highlights Aviano's generosity

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Julius Delos Reyes
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Team Aviano kicked off its Air Force Assistance Fund campaign at the base exchange March 7. The AFAF is an annual campaign designed to raise funds for the charitable affiliates that provide support to the Air Force family in need.

"The AFAF is the Air Force taking care of its people," said Capt. Brett Skates, 31st Security Forces Squadron section commander and installation project officer for Aviano AFAF. "It is comprised of four charities -- the Air Force Aid Society, the Air Force Village, the Air Force Enlisted Village and the Gen. and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay foundation."

These organizations help Air Force people, such as active duty, retirees, reservists, guard members and their dependents, including surviving spouses, with aid in an emergency, with educational needs or to have a secure retirement home for widows or widowers of Air Force members in need of financial assistance.

The AFAS has supported the Air Force mission by providing worldwide emergency assistance, sponsoring education assistance programs and offering an array of base community enhancement programs. According to Captain Skates, an Aviano Airman had a family affected by the earthquake in Haiti last year.

"The AFAS paid for the member's travel and lodging so they could assist their family and ensure their well-being," Captain Skates said.

The Air Force Village, another of the four AFAF charities, was founded by the Air Force Officer's Wives Club in 1964 and is a retirement community for the widows of retired Air Force officers. Founded in 1967, the Air Force Enlisted Village is a retirement community for surviving spouses of retired Air Force Enlisted personnel. Finally, the LeMay foundation provides financial assistance to widows of all Air Force retirees, both officers and enlisted.

"The AFAF is important because the donations received during this fundraiser provide the vast support needed for the continued operation of the four charities," Captain Skates said. "The charities in the AFAF are foundations specifically for the Air Force; no other community receives assistance or funds from any of the four charities. It is truly a story of the Air Force family coming together to take care of one another."

Last year, Team Aviano raised $89,000 for the AFAF from various fundraising events.

"It is interesting to note that Aviano received nearly three times that amount in assistance during the same time period," Captain Skates said.

The campaign runs through April 15. Those interested in making a donation to AFAF should contact their unit representatives. For more information on AFAF, visit http://www.afassistancefund.org/.  

"I strongly support the AFAF," Captain Skates said. "I think it is one of the greatest times we can directly support members of the Air Force community. You never know who may have received assistance from the AFAF, or who might need it in the future. It could be a subordinate, a boss, a coworker or even yourself someday."

(Some information courtesy of Air Force Assistance Fund)