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Air Force Assistance Fund campaign begins next week

  • Published
  • By John Parker
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  The 2014 Air Force Assistance Fund awareness campaign will kick off with a breakfast from 7:30 to 9 a.m. March 7 at the Tinker Club.

The cost for the breakfast is $9 for club members and $10 for nonmembers. Invitations to the breakfast will be emailed to all base Airmen.

The annual campaign raises money for the AFAF, which assists members of the extended Air Force family with help ranging from emergency loans to fix a busted transmission to independent living communities for surviving Air Force spouses.

First Lt. Matthew Whitaker, Capt. Chuck Schulz and Master Sgt. Manuel Martinez are the project officers for the Tinker installation campaign. Airmen should expect their unit representatives to let them know about the drive, too.

"It's the Air Force as a whole helping each other out," Captain Schulz said.
Sergeant Martinez added, "It's the wingman concept on steroids."

The March 3 to April 11 campaign aims to raise $97,158. Air Force personnel can only seek on-the-job donations from active-duty members and military retirees. However, contributions from civilians, local charities and contractors are welcomed. The breakfast is open to all and a 5K running event is also on the horizon.

The AFAF funds four major initiatives: The Air Force Aid Society, which provides emergency loans, scholarships, family aid and more; the Air Force Village and Air Force Enlisted Villages, which operate retirement communities, including for surviving spouses; and the Gen. and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation, which gives financial grants to surviving spouses of all Air Force retirees who qualify.

Donations in cash, checks or monthly pay deductions will be accepted through a financial accountability system. The campaign suggests donations ranging from $3 to $20 a month, depending on rank. One-time donations are also welcome.

For more information, call Captain Schulz at 736-3306 or Sergeant Martinez at 582-4783.