Kirtland’s 2021 Air Force Assistance Fund Campaign kicks off

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Oneika Banks
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  

Team Kirtland’s annual Air Force Assistance Fund (AFAF) campaign officially kicks off today, March 22, and will run through April 30, 2021.

The AFAF raises money for four charities that take care of Airmen, Guardians, and their families. The Air Force Enlisted Village, the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation, the Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation, and the Air Force Aid Society.

“Though there are thousands of worthy charities to give to, this is the only official Department of the Air Force campaign that is ‘for us, by us’,” said 2nd Lt. David Geddes, installation project officer.

The campaign supports active-duty, eligible Air National Guard and Reserve Airmen, as well as retirees, spouses, immediate family members and surviving family members of deceased retirees.

“It’s difficult for our campaign workers to go desk-to-desk with so many members teleworking, and it’s just not safe to do so in this COVID environment,” Geddes added. “We’re doing what we can this year by using e-Giving platforms and peer-to-peer fundraising so our campaign workers have more tools at their disposal and our contributors have more avenues to donate.”

Airmen and Guardians will have multiple options to donate via e-Giving options such as the peer-to-peer website, text-to-donate, and by QR code.  Airmen and Guardians may make donations on Team Kirtland’s peer-to-peer website by visiting https://secure.qgiv.com/event/afaf/team/872997/, and clicking the donate button, or texting AFAF to 50155.  Members may contribute via e-check, debit or credit card. 

“Using the text-to-donate and the QR code are super simple and makes the donation process quick and easy,” said Master Sgt. Brandon Alvarez, alternate installation project officer.  “Just be sure to search for Kirtland AFB to ensure that your donation goes towards Team Kirtland’s goal.”

Geddes said key workers in every squadron will contact members eligible to give, but if you have not been contacted, reach out to the Airman & Family Readiness Center’s Air Force Aid Society officer. 

He also said because the AFAF is a “for us, by us” campaign, key workers and unit project officers are limited to soliciting donations from uniformed Department of the Air Force and retired members; however, civilians and contractors who would like to donate may do so by using the e-Giving platform.

Last year’s campaign raised $2.13 million toward the charities, even as the pandemic shutdowns were just starting the week after the campaign began. Geddes says this year’s goal is to raise $4.5 million. Team Kirtland’s 2021 goal is $46,919. 

The Air Force Aid Society helps active duty Airmen and Guardians in times of emergencies by providing loans and grants, and supports base enhancement programs.

The Air Force Enlisted Village, for enlisted widows and widowers, and the Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation, for officer widows and widowers, provide a place to live among friends with a similar background.

The LeMay Foundation supports widows and widowers of Air Force retirees, both officer and enlisted, in the event of a financial need, by giving grants of assistance.

Alvarez said the team of charities is committed to helping Airmen, Guardians and their families, but can only do so with support to the campaigns.

“They are only able to continue providing assistance because our predecessors gave to the AFAF campaign for the past 47 years,” he said. “Now it’s our turn to pay it forward. Today we may be donating, but tomorrow we may be calling for assistance.”

To watch informational videos about AFAF, visit the AFAF YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/AFAssistancefund.