News From Our Partners: Air Force Assistance Fund Charities Thank You!

Over the past 83 years our predecessors, we retirees, and those who we’ve passed the active duty baton to, have lived the truth of “Taking Care of our Own”!  We’ve seen the crucial assistance given when needed, either to ourselves, a family member, or a fellow Airman or Guardian.  Certainly, we have always known that at any given time, we could, ourselves, be in the position of needing help and giving today to help others was truly “paying it forward”.  And, because of the generosity of our forebearers, ourselves, and now those who have taken the stick, the four official charities of the Department of the Air Force can ensure Airmen, Guardians and their families are mission-ready, resilient and confident that they will never have to face hardship alone.  In other words – Thank you!

Below are recent updates from the AFAF charities, telling the stories of the great good that your donations accomplish…

The General & Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation: Thank you for your incredible support over the past year. Your kindness has provided assistance to surviving spouses, such as Mrs. Hazel, who lives in Barnhart, TX, and has received LeMay's Supplemental Income. “Thank you for your continued support. Your generous support has meant a great deal to me and my quality of life. Your organization has made it possible for me to remain in the home, where my husband and I raised our children and made a life together. If my husband were here, he would be very impressed how your Foundation has helped me in my time of need. He spent many years of his life in support of his country and always worried what would happen to me if he were no longer here.” Your generosity has helped us fulfill our promise of "Taking Care of Our Own" by strengthening the financial stability of those who rely on us. We appreciate your ongoing contributions to making this possible—you are truly changing lives!

Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation:  AFVCF supports surviving spouses of Air and Space Force Officers with financial assistance, allowing these family members to reside at Blue Skies of Texas retirement community, whether they can afford it or not.  Blue Skies of Texas (formerly Air Force Villages) was named three years in a row (2024, 2025 and again for 2026!) by Newsweek among America’s Best Continuing Care Retirement Communities, ranked #1 in Texas and #8 in the US!  Your donations helped a long-time USAF widow sleep at night!  Her retired Lt Col spouse passed away in 2022 and she realized she had outlived her resources.  Needing higher, more expensive levels of care, your contributions to the AFAF provide medicine, dental work, glasses, and a safe place to live in peace and dignity.  Her family, her Air and Space Force family, is filling the gap.

Air Force Aid Society (AFAS):  We are proud to share that we’ve officially updated our name to Air & Space Forces Aid Society (AFAS), reflecting our longstanding commitment to supporting both Airmen and Guardian families. While our name has evolved, our mission remains the same: To provide financial assistance, scholarships & education support, community programs, and disaster relief.
During the recent government shutdown, AFAS delivered $1.5 million in assistance to help over 930 Airmen, Guardians, and their families navigate pay delays and financial uncertainty. This included support for Active Duty, Guard, Reserve, and retired members. Assistance covered basic living expenses, rent/mortgage payments, food, and other urgent needs to ensure families had immediate relief during this time.

As we close out the year, we are grateful for the generous donors and partners who make this mission possible. And from December 26-31, every gift to AFAS will be matched dollar-for-dollar, doubling the support available to military families. To give or learn more, visit afas.org.

Air Force Enlisted Village: Low pay and frequent moves often mean that many military spouses are left without careers, home equity, retirement plans, or significant savings to fall back on. Even the most carefully planned retirement can be shaken by an unexpected tragedy or medical expense, leaving families vulnerable. At the Air Force Enlisted Village, Taking Care of Our Own is more than a phrase—it’s a promise.

Through the Benevolence Fund, we provide surviving spouses with the essentials that bring peace of mind and restore hope: a safe home, security, dignity, independence, and a community that understands. This past year, thanks to your generosity to the Air Force Assistance Fund, we were able to provide over $700,000 in financial support to surviving spouses of Air and Space Force enlisted retirees. Your kindness doesn’t just provide assistance—it transforms lives. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with us and for truly Taking Care of Our Own.

If you haven’t yet had the opportunity to give but want to make a 2025 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.  Just click on the squadron’s “View Page” button to donate on that page and support the unit goal.  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.  Here’s how:  Once on your favorite squadron’s page, instead of clicking the “Donate Now!” button, click the “Join My Team” button.  There, you’ll be able to register an account and maintain 100% control over your giving!
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/index.php/donate/.   Please be aware that payroll deduction allotment authorizations mailed to AFPC will not begin coming from retired pay until 1 July 2026 and will run until 1 June 2027. 

*****PLEASE DON’T SEND CASH IN THE MAIL*****
Mail Check and Payroll Deduction Plan Donations to:
AIR FORCE ASSISTANCE FUND
AFPC/DPPPMB
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!