Air Force Assistance Fund under way at Tinker Published Feb. 4, 2011 By 1st Lt. Lucy Ashley 72nd Force Support Squadron TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The annual Air Force Assistance Fund drive is scheduled to kick off at Tinker today and run through March 18. The fund drive supports charitable organizations that provide for active duty, guard, reserve, retirees and dependants, including surviving spouses. Of the $6.3 million that the Air Force plans to raise this year, Tinker's slice of that goal is about $111,000. 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." Since 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. Starting today Unit Project Officers and key workers with information for you about this important campaign. AFAF Project Officers · Overall, 1st Lt. Kim Husher, 734-9877 · 3rd CCG, MSG Jean Jones, 734-2668 · OC-ALC/GK, Capt. Robert Hixon, 736-4446 · 498th MSUG, Tech. Sgt. Lawrence Rozier, 739-8849 · 448th SCMW, Lt. Matthew Whitaker, 734-7934 · 5th MRS, Tech. Sgt. Patrick Brown, 739-4140 · 507th ARW, Tech. Sgt. Zachary Jacobs, 734-3774 · 513th ACG, Lt. Col. Ralph Hawkins, 734-6778 · 552nd ACW, Maj. David Drass, 739-2956 · 72nd ABW, Capt. Amanda Huston, 736-2199 · 76th MXW, Tech Sgt. Aaron Mackey, 736-7077 · OC-ALC Staff Offices, Capt Ben Walker, 736-5562 · AFFSA, Tech. Sgt. Brian Cummings, 734-5383 · 38th CEG Lt Alexander Annen, 734-9434