News from Our Partners: 2023 Air Force Assistance Fund “50 Years of Caring” Campaign—“Sprint Finish!”

2023 marked the Department of the Air Force’s 50^th annual Air Force Assistance Fund Campaign at Air and Space Force Bases worldwide.  Thanks to your generosity, over $244 Million have been donated by Airmen and Guardians, and other supporters over these past 50 years, providing a safety net for our fellow Airmen—and now Guardians—as well as their families.  Your contributions this year helped provide a total of over $50,500, in assistance as of 1 December 2023…$5,000 more than retirees were able to contribute for the entirety of 2022!  I’d like to encourage you to continue your support of these four extraordinary charities, committed to taking care of our own. Let’s finish the 2023 campaign year with a “sprint finish” by making a year-end donation of any amount.

If you missed our update last quarter, here’s a quick summary of the great good our four official charities of the Department of the Air Force has done for the Air Force family over the years…

The Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation provides the full spectrum of care for widows and widowers of retired Air Force Officers living at Blue Skies of Texas in San Antonio, just down the road from Lackland AFB. Thanks to your generous donations over the years, over 600 surviving spouses have been served. 
    
Over $26 million has been invested in their care since 1970 and you’ll be glad to know 100% of gifts go directly to the residents’ living expenses and continuing care to allow them the peace of mind to live comfortably in their homes with a secure future. Today, deserving recipients live in all levels of care; independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care. Your contributions allow them to live in dignity and safety.

The Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) provides support to Airmen, Guardian’s, and their families when they need it most. Thanks to your generous contributions and donations, AFAS provides emergency assistance support, educational scholarships, as well as community support programs such as childcare programs, parenting classes, as well as a spouse employment program. 

AFAS provided over $13 million in direct assistance to over 17,000 Airmen, Guardians, and their families in 2022. This year, they celebrated the 20^th anniversary of their annual Charity Gala, where they partnered with the Gala Committee from the Air Force Officers' Spouses' Club (AFOSC), Spouses' Clubs and Thrift Shops from across the Air and Space Forces, along with corporate and organizational sponsors. With over 500 attendees at this year's event, more than $595,000 was raised to help Airmen, Guardians, and their families.

Thus far in 2023, AFAS has provided over $3,750,000 in emergency assistance support in addition to $1,600,000 in disaster relief.  Additionally, this year, AFAS has provided nearly $140,000 in assistance for community programs such as “Bundles for Babies”, “Child Care for PCS” and “Give Parents a Break”; and supported dependent spouses and children with educational benefits totaling over $2,850,000.  Again, we couldn’t make this happen with you!

Situated in the picturesque Florida Panhandle, adjacent to Eglin AFB and Hurlburt Field, The Air Force Enlisted Village (AFEV) proudly upholds its enduring commitment to offering a home for surviving spouses of retired enlisted Department of the Air Force (DAF) members. This compassionate community caters to the diverse needs of its residents, providing a spectrum of services encompassing independent living, assisted living, and memory care. The village, steeped in tradition, ensures that no eligible surviving spouse is ever turned away, irrespective of financial constraints. 

In the past year, the invaluable support from our generous donors has amounted to a remarkable $534,352, directly benefiting eligible USAF widows residing at both Bob Hope Village and Hawthorn House through the benevolence program. This substantial financial aid has been instrumental in easing the burden of monthly service fees, facilitating transportation to and from medical appointments and grocery shopping, and ensuring the timely pick-up of prescriptions. Such crucial assistance has contributed significantly to the overall well-being of our surviving spouses. The impact of your donations extends beyond monetary aid, making a tangible difference in the lives of all residents.

In addition to the $534,352 in direct support to residents from the Benevolence Fund, your generosity helps provide:

• 79,843 miles of transportation to and from medical appointments and grocery shopping

• 10,214 prescriptions picked up and delivered

• 75,438 nutritious meals provided to Hawthorn House residents

• 1,300 life-enhancing activity programs

• 3,000+ hours of wellness classes and workshops 

These numbers underscore the practical and essential assistance that is made possible through the collective generosity of donors like you.  In essence, your philanthropic contributions over the past 50 years have transformed the lives of thousands within our senior DAF family. The Air Force Enlisted Village remains steadfast in its mission to provide a home imbued with security, dignity, independence, and camaraderie to those who have served our country.

As we express our profound gratitude, we acknowledge the profound impact your generosity has had on the well-being of our cherished residents. Thank you for your unwavering support and commitment to ensuring that the essential needs of our senior DAF family are met with compassion and dignity.

The General & Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation (The LeMay Foundation) is a proud family established non-profit organization. For over 30 years its legacy and commitment of caring for the needs of surviving spouses have significantly impacted many lives for the better. Thank you for your continued contributions, so we can help provide financial support to the surviving spouses of all Air and Space Force retirees which gratefully don’t ever need to be repaid. Your support continues to matter to the current spouses receiving LeMay’s supplemental income to help with their needs. Last month, your kindness to support has made it possible for a spouse. Here is a note from someone we have assisted:

“The foundation has rescued me from great hardship. I’m so grateful for the emergency aid with my electricity and helping with monthly aid.  Thank you, LeMay Foundation.” -Ms. Sandra, Greeleyville, SC -widow of retired SSgt Oswaldo.

Because of your generosity, monthly grants of $25,775 are given directly to our spouses. This supplemental benefit allows them to live with security and dignity. One-time support is also provided for those unplanned expenses. Since January, $314,132 was spent to improve their quality of life and have essential needs taken care of. This would not have been possible if it hadn’t been for our gracious patrons.  General and Mrs. LeMay wanted our AF & SF families taken care of, during service and their retirement years. Our foundation stands strong on “Taking Care of Our Own.”  Thank you for your continued support to our spouses, without your devoted commitment we could not continue making a difference. Please visit our website to learn more www.lemay-foundation.org.

If you haven’t yet had the opportunity to give but want to make a year-end contribution, you can give anytime online now at https://www.afassistancefund.org.  Just click the red “DONATE NOW!!” button near the top right of the page. 

You’ll be taken to our donation page where, on the right side of the page, you can choose to either use a donation form to authorize payroll deduction donations, or document where you’d like your check or money order donation to go.  Then there’s our “E-Giving” option, on the left side of the page, where you can help your favorite base and squadron by giving directly to their campaign—just scroll down to the “DONATE TODAY WITH OUR NEW PEER-TO-PEER PLATFORM” box and click the “Donate Today!” button. When you click the “Find a Base” button, you’ll be able to click on the base link where each squadron/organization will have their own link. You can also give this way by texting AFAF to 50155 using your smart phone.

Join the AFAF Wingman Squadron today by signing up for monthly giving and your monthly donation won’t automatically stop after just one year—unless you pause or stop it yourself. You’re in full control with your giving account!  In fact, if you authorize monthly recurring e-giving, it’s highly recommended that you set up an account.  You can do that after making your donation online by going to https://secure.qgiv.com/for/afassistancefund and clicking the “Sign In” link and then clicking “Create an Account” link at the bottom of the pop-up box. If you need help linking your account to your monthly gift, please contact Department of the Air Force Fundraising at usaf.fundraising@us.af.mil. 

Again, if e-Giving isn’t your thing, that’s okay. You can still give by check, money order, cashier’s check, or through the annual payroll deduction plan from your retired pay. The contribution form can be found online at https://www.afassistancefund.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/DAF_2561-20221026.pdf.  Please be aware that payroll deduction allotment authorizations mailed to AFPC will not begin coming from retired pay until 1 July 2024. 

*****PLEASE DON’T SEND CASH IN THE MAIL*****
Mail Check and Payroll Deduction Plan Donations to:
AIR FORCE ASSISTANCE FUND
AFPC/DP3SA
550 C STREET WEST
JBSA RANDOLPH TX  78150

 
Thank you once again for your continued support of the annual AFAF Campaign, and our fellow Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Retired, but still Active!