The Air Force Aid Society Fund – one of the four AFAF-affiliated charities that assist active-duty, Reserve, Guard and retired Air Force personnel and their families – is the one that provides for Airmen in times of need, often administered by the staff at the Airman and Family Readiness Center.
“We are going through a pandemic, something that is leaving many out of work, scrambling to buy food or to pay their bills,” Fuquay pointed out. “The Air Force Aid Society can bridge that gap, helping a member of our Air Force family get through what may be the hardest of times.
“‘Taking Care of Our Own’ is capital A Airmen, taking care of Airmen,” she continued, “civilian or military, coworker or neighbor, assisting another in need. We can relate to the hardships of others. When we realize that, it makes it that much easier to give.”
This year’s campaign goal is $107,346, which is only 11% of Wright-Patt’s calculated potential. The base’s 47th annual AFAF campaign runs until April 10.
“As we are unable to make the normal face-to-fact contact during this time, I hope Team Wright-Patt will still consider contributing through the online, e-giving platform,” Fuquay said. “Your donations can help ease the minds and stressors that many are facing or may face some point in their life, allowing them to focus on the mission ahead and get their jobs done.”
Although there is a large civilian population at Wright-Patterson AFB, civilians cannot be solicited for donations but are invited to contribute. Civilians who wish to contribute to AFAF should contact their unit project officer. All who wish to participate need to contact their UPO for a control number.
How to e-give
The AFAF campaign is offering e-giving this year via texting AFAF to 50155 or scanning a QR code from one of the many posters that are being posted on base. Members can opt for payroll deduction or a one-time gift online.
One note: e-giving payroll deduction starts immediately and may overlap the previous campaign, which ran from June 1, 2019, to May 1, 2020, resulting in two deductions per pay period until May 1 this year.
In lieu of e-giving, donations to the AFAF can be made by cash, check or payroll deduction by completion of a pdf form provided by unit project officers that is then printed in triplicate and turned into the unit project officer.
Contributions to the AFAF may be tax deductible.
For more information, first contact a unit project officer. The installation project officers are Lt. Col. William Holl, AFAF installation project officer, 937-257-3424, william.holl@us.af.mil; Senior Master Sgt. Michael Stegen, 937-528-2929, michael.stegen@us.af.mil; and Master Sgt. Ashely Fuquay, 937-255-3491, ashely.fuquay@us.af.mil.
Additional information on AFAF is available online at www.afassistancefund.org.
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