Air Force Assistance Fund campaign extended to April 25 Published April 18, 2014 Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Tinker officials have extended the Air Force Assistance Fund campaign. Military members, government civilians and contractors can make contributions until April 25. It's a well-known fact that the Air Force takes care of its own. Each year that ethos is reinforced, in part, by donations of numerous individuals all focused on one goal: helping out their fellow Airmen in need. Since its inception, the Air Force has instituted its official charity, the Air Force Assistance Fund, for this very purpose. And each year at Tinker, Airmen and civilians alike extend a hand financially to those in our midst in need. The AFAF comprises four different charity funds: Air Force Aid Society, Air Force Enlisted Village Indigent Widows' Fund, Air Force Village Indigent Widows' Fund and the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation. Air Force Aid Society The AFAS is the oldest of the four charities and in its 72 years of service focuses on helping active-duty Airmen and retirees. Last year the AFAS assisted in providing money for 521 different requests at Tinker for financial help, in the form of zero-interest loans (248) and grant assists (273). The society considers these requests when individuals and families go through times of personal and family emergencies. In total, the AFAS gave out $177,753 to Tinker Airmen, while individuals on base donated $71,708 to the society. In 2013 more than 75,000 Airman and family members Air Force wide received assistance totaling $17.4 million. All active-duty Airmen are eligible, and on-base representatives best determine needs through a low-stress interview process. The society helps Airmen in numerous ways, but mostly through zero-interest loans. These loans help with a host of financial needs such as: · rent and mortgage payments · home utilities · home repairs · costs for emergency travel · vehicle repair and maintenance · vehicle payments · food Other appropriations may be approved, including medical or dental needs, moving costs and funeral costs among others. The staff at the Airman and Family Readiness Center is available to meet and discuss potential needs. For more information, call the A&FRC at 739-2747 or go online at www.afas.org. Air Force Enlisted Village Indigent Widows' Fund This charity is all about providing a home. Surviving spouses of retired enlisted personnel in the Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve can find rest at this enlisted village in northwest Florida. Four hundred and fifty surviving spouses currently call the village home and despite a waiting list, the residence staff never turns away applicants because of economic need. One hundred percent of funds donated to the Enlisted Village Fund goes toward providing housing for the surviving spouses. For more information, call 800-258-1413, email afef@afev.com or go online to www.afenlistedwidows.org. Air Force Village Indigent Widows' Fund One option for donations is the Air Force Village Indigent Widows' Fund. Surviving spouses of retired officers may receive financial assistance to live in one of two premier retirement communities in Texas. The fund also assists retired officers and/or their elderly parents or grandparents, and since its inception in 1970 the program has given millions of dollars in assistance. Additionally, spouses and children of Air Force officers killed on active duty are offered living accommodations at the Villages for up to a year. For more information call 800-762-1122 or go online to www.airforcevillages.com. General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation When the LeMay Foundation founders setup their non-profit, they did so with one overarching goal: help surviving spouses of Air Force retirees remain at home, near their churches and near their neighbors. The foundation mainly carries this goal out by providing financial assistance for housing expenses. Surviving spouses of enlisted and officers are eligible for the LeMay assistance funds. The foundation provides funds for these individuals for as long as the need persists, even for a lifetime. AFAF points of contact: · Tinker IPO, Capt. Charles Schulz, 736-3306 and Master Sgt. Manuel Martinez at 582-4783 · 5th MRS, Tech. Sgt. Allen Conner · 38th CEIG, 2nd Lt. Marcus Trahan · 72nd ABW, 1st Lt. Ashley Lucy · 349th RCS, Capt Joe Oletti. · 448th SCMW, Capt Robbie Walsh, · 552nd ACW, Capt Katherine Kordecki, · AFSC and OC-ALC, 2Lt. Thomas Nadobny / 2Lt Andrew Logan