LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Virginia –
Nearly six months ago, Senior Airman John Chesar and his wife separated. In an instant, he went from having a four-person household with three incomes, to being a single father on one income raising two kids.
Airman Chesar pulled his life back together as best he could, but with the monthly drop in income, his bills began to pile up.
By Christmas, Airman Chesar realized that he was in debt too deep to provide for his children.
“I swallowed my pride and went to the Air Force Aid Society,” he said. “Before I even told them my story, they gave me a Christmas card with $100 in it.”
Airman Chesar put that money toward food and presents for Christmas as the Aid Society continued to help him get his bills under control.
If not for the Air Force Aid Society, Airman Chesar’s children would not have had Christmas this year and the family would continue to be in dire straights.
The Air Force Assistance Fund is one of the largest contributors to the Air Force Aid Society. Langley’s six-week campaign will run Monday through April 14.
Now in its 33rd year, 100 percent of designated AFAF contributions will benefit active-duty, Reserve, Guard, retired Air Force people, surviving spouses and families. Last year, Airmen exceeded the campaign goal by contributing more than $7.3 million.
Airmen need look no further than the aftermath of last year’s hurricanes to understand the benefit the fund provides the Air Force community. Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley addressed this recently in a joint memorandum for the Air Force Assistance Fund:
“Last year, hurricanes Katrina and Rita vividly demonstrated the need for rapid and reliable emergency assistance. This was in addition to their normal ongoing assistance with the hardships of deployments, accidents, illness, aging and death.”
General Moseley recently announced a $5.4 million goal for this year’s fund drive. The goal, as in years past, is to make 100 percent contact with all military personnel. The monetary goal for Langley this year is nearly $200,000.
Where does my money go?In addition to the Aid Society, the Assistance Fund also raises money for the Air Force Enlisted Men’s Widow and Dependents Home Foundation Inc., the Air Force Village Indigent Widow’s Fund and the General and Mrs. Curtis LeMay Foundation.
The Air Force Aid Society – The official charitable organization of the Air Force provides Airmen and their families with worldwide emergency financial assistance, education assistance and an array of base level community-enhancement programs. Local family support centers have full details on programs and eligibility requirements. For details, visit http://www.afas.org.
The Air Force Enlisted Foundation, Fort Walton Beach, Fla. – provides rent subsidy and other support to indigent widows and widowers of retired enlisted people 55 and older. For details, visit http://www.afenlistedwidows.org.
The Air Force Village Indigent Widow’s Fund, San Antonio – A life-care community for retired officers, spouses, widows or widowers and family members; includes indigent widows fund for widows and widowers of Air Force officers. For details, visit http://www.airforcevillages.com.
The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation – Provides rent and financial assistance to indigent widows and widowers of officers and enlisted people in their own homes and communities.
Contributions to the AFAF are tax deductible as an itemized federal deduction. For details, visit the Air Force Personnel Center’s Voting and Fundraising Web site at http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/votefund.