News From Our Partners: Air Force Assistance Fund 51st Annual Campaign Sprint Finish

The 2024 Department of the Air Force’s annual Air Force Assistance Fund Campaign at Air and Space Force Bases worldwide may have wrapped up on Flag Day, but time still remains for a year-end donation, on or after Giving Tuesday, December 3^rd, to make an impact!

Year after year, our faithful retiree force comes through with donations given from the heart.  Some give $1,000, $3,000 or even $10,000 as a one-time gift because at some point, one of our four charities helped you or someone you know.  Some give $5, $10, $20 or $50 per month, making a huge impact over time, for which we are equally grateful.  No matter how you give or how much, we want to thank you once again for your faithful support of the AFAF Charities and our fellow Airmen, Guardians and their families. Take a look at the great good that your donations accomplish…

The General & Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation (The LeMay Foundation) is here and prepared to assist any surviving spouses of DAF retirees needing assistance and emergency disaster relief.  We help with supplemental grants of $250 and up to $625 monthly.  In 2023 alone, grants totaled $345,600!  Your continued support is essential in helping us fulfill our promise to the spouses, ensuring they can remain in their homes and communities.  You can continue to honor the legacy of our retirees by making sure their loved ones are cared for and supported. Thank you!

Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation:  As we near the end of the year, we are reminded of the critical role the Air Force Assistance Fund plays in supporting surviving spouses of the Air and Space Force. The funds you contribute directly benefit our Benevolence Program, which assists spouses who would otherwise be unable to afford housing. These spouses can rest easy knowing they will spend their later years in a community of neighbors who share similar life experiences. Residents like Marie, who would have nowhere to call home without the Village, highlight the importance of this support. Thanks to your generosity, Air and Space Force enlisted spouses can find peace of mind, knowing a safe and welcoming place is available to them when they need it most. Your continued support ensures we can carry out our mission to provide a secure, supportive home for years to come.

Air Force Aid Society was there in 2024 when thousands of Airmen, Guardians, and their families needed financial support – and needed it quickly. This year, AFAS is on track to deliver more than $13 million in total assistance across all programs.  This includes nearly $5 million in emergency financial assistance to more than 4,700 Airmen and their families affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and over $3.5 million in scholarships to more than 1,300 students to help ease the financial burden of higher education.  A special thank you to our generous donors and partners whose support enables us to meet the evolving needs of our Force. Learn more or donate at www.afas.org. 

Air Force Enlisted Village:  The care and support services through our Benevolence program available for our 600+ residents at Bob Hope Village and Hawthorn House would not be possible without the Air Force Assistance Fund.  This program gives financial assistance to DAF retiree’s surviving spouses requiring it, while residing in our independent living and assisted living/memory care communities.  Because of you our surviving spouses can live out their years in a place where they have neighbors with similar life experiences. Residents’ lives have been transformed thanks to your generosity. We thank you.

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 while 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 2025. 

*****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!