Small amounts add up in ‘Taking Care of Our Own’ AFAF campaign

The Air Force Aid Society is the official charity of the U.S. Air Force and has been meeting the unique needs of Airmen and their families since 1942. AFAS works to support and enhance the USAF mission by providing emergency financial assistance, educational support and community programs. (Air Force Aid Society graphic)

The Air Force Aid Society is the official charity of the U.S. Air Force and has been meeting the unique needs of Airmen and their families since 1942. AFAS works to support and enhance the USAF mission by providing emergency financial assistance, educational support and community programs. (Air Force Aid Society graphic)

Older than the U.S. Air Force itself, the Air Force Aid Society Fund – one of the four Air Force Assistance Fund-affiliated charities that assist active-duty, Reserve, Guard and retired Air Force personnel and their families – traces its roots back to 1942 and the great five-Star Gen. Henry “Hap” Arnold.

His vision of an organization that embodied the ideal of Airmen helping Airmen still drives AFAS’ mission today.

“The onset of challenges we have seen due to the COVID-19 pandemic puts us in a situation where our most valuable assets, our junior members, could be more vulnerable to financial stressors – the support provided by Air Force Assistance Fund is needed now more than ever,” said Senior Master Sgt. Michael Stegen, one of the installation project officers for Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s 2020 AFAF campaign. “When, as a collective, we are all able to give even a small amount, our teammates can count on that support; we are able to take care of our own.”

This year’s campaign goal is $107,346, which is only 11% of the base’s calculated potential. Wright-Patt has received more than $19,499 or 18% to goal currently. The base’s campaign runs until May 8.

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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