Air Force Assistance Fund drive to kick off at Tinker Published March 26, 2010 By Micah Garbarino Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The annual Air Force Assistance Fund drive is scheduled to kick off at Tinker March 30 and run through May 7. The fund drive supports charitable organizations that provide for active duty, guard, reserve, retirees and dependants, including surviving spouses. Last year, Tinker's fundraising goal was $99,932, but the drive raised $110,229. This year, Team Tinker's goal is higher -- $105,603, said Capt. John Duryea, a member of the 38th Cyberspace Engineering Group and the AFAF Installation Project Officer. "The Air Force Assistance Fund is a great opportunity for Airmen to support these organizations that do so much for us in times of crisis. None of these charities are supported with federal funding, they rely largely on donations to operate," said Captain Duryea. 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 deductable for the donor, said Captain Duryea. Every unit will have an AFAF Unit Project officer. The Unit Project Officer will nominate key workers to hand out the AF Form 2561, which is the form people can use to donate to the 2010 AFAF campaign.