Air Force Assistance Fund kicks off Monday Published March 4, 2013 Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, OK -- The annual Air Force Assistance Fund drive kicks off at Tinker on March 4 and will run through April 12. The fund drive supports charitable organizations that provide for active duty, guard, reserve, retirees and dependents, including surviving spouses. Of the $6.4 million that the Air Force plans to raise this year, Tinker's slice of that goal is about $110,000. The Air Force Assistance Fund is a great way for Airmen to help others in need. Also, you never know when you or your family will be the ones needing assistance. Each unit will have their own Unit Project Officer and key workers who will be available to give out information and through whom you can donate either by direct withdrawal from their paycheck or one-time cash donations. There are four organizations that receive support from the Air Force Assistance Fund drive. The Air Force Aid Society is the official charity of the Air Force. Airmen can visit the Air Force Aid Society coordinator at their base and apply for grants or loans for emergency medical bills, car repair, travel to be with a sick family member, even food, rent or utilities. About $15 million in emergency help is allocated every year. The Air Force Village Indigent Widows' Fund provides widows or widowers of retired career Air Force officers with affordable living options. Since 1970, the fund has paid out more than $10 million covering health care services, living accommodations for up to one year and dependent care for elderly parents and grandparents. The Air Force Enlisted Village Indigent Widows' Fund has provided homes for more than 1,600 surviving spouses since 1975 at its north Florida facilities. The housing and services are available to spouses of enlisted members who have died on active duty. The village also provides emergency housing to active duty or retired Airmen and their families during natural disasters. The General and Mrs. Curtis LeMay Foundation provides nationwide financial assistance to widows of all retired Air Force personnel. Funds are given with "no strings attached." Because the Air Force Assistance Fund is administered directly by the Air Force, 95 percent of funds received go directly to the mission of supporting Airmen and their families and 100 percent of donations are tax deductible for the donor. Unit Project Officers and key workers have important information for you about this important campaign. AFAF Key Contacts Overall Installation: Capt. A.J. Berger, 739-7353; Capt Kelly Sherman, 734-4846 Headquarters Air Force Sustainment Center: Tech. Sgt. Josie Maple, 734-5299; Capt Thomas Pham, 739-2556 Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex: 1st Lt. Josh Shepard, 734-9958; 1st Lt. Matt Whitaker, 736-7182 72nd Air Base Wing: Senior Master Sgt. Christina Wolfe, 734-3496; Tech. Sgt. Shanda Rader, 734-4421 448th Supply Chain Management Wing: 1st Lt. Michael Labrie, 736-2400; 2nd Lt. Justin Baier, 736-3274 Air Force Life Cycle Management Center - Operating Location: 2nd Lt. Roxanne Pennington, 739-7076; 2nd Lt. William Westbo, 739-2066 552nd Air Control Wing: Maj. Barry Ketchie, 734-1024; Master Sgt. Loretta Yabut, 734-8859 3rd Combat Communications Group: Staff Sgt. Stephen Mears, 734-9340; Staff Sgt. Adam Houghtaling, 734-7084 38th Cyberspace Engineering and Installations Group: 2nd Lt. Jeff Pipkin, 734-9568 5th Manpower Requirements Squadron: Staff Sgt. Maria Watson, 739-4140; Staff Sgt. Nickolas Swartz, 734-3612 349th Recruiting Squadron: Staff Sgt. Lisa LaBrada 734-7631 Det. 9 373rd Training Squadron: Staff Sgt. Jorge Perez, 734-5003; Staff Sgt. Andrew Myers, 734-5003