Kirtland AFB Air Force Assistance Fund runs through April 12

  • Published
  • By Adam Bailey
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AFB, N.M. --  Capt. Abbe Warren, 512th Rescue Squadron, and Master Sgt. John Hennard, 377th Security Forces Squadron, are in charge of the Kirtland AFB 2013 Air Force Assistance Fund Campaign, which began March 4 and runs through April 12.

"The AFAF campaign is an annual, on-the-job fundraising appeal conducted among Air Force personnel for the benefit of Air Force personnel. AFAF campaign contributions provide financial support to four AFAF affiliates. They are the Air Force Village, the Air Force Aid Society, the Air Force Enlisted Village and the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation," said Hennard.

Those organizations support the Air Force family (active-duty, retirees, Reservists, Guardsmen, and their dependents, including surviving spouses) in need. They help Air Force people with emergency aid, with educational needs, or to have a secure retirement home for widows or widowers of Airmen who need financial assistance.

"The Air Force Aid Society usually gets the most participation because it goes back directly to our total force community. Air Force Aid is often given to members who experience a time of financial hardship for circumstances out of their control, such as if they are on deployment and need to come home for a funeral, or they are on a PCS and their car breaks down and they don't have any cash to get help," said Warren.

Kirtland's goal this year is to raise $72,739 with the potential to raise $145,000.

"This number is based on half of the base giving their suggested giving amount, which is a value based on rank," said Warren. "However, $1 still makes an impact, and people shouldn't feel discouraged if they aren't able to contribute the suggested amounts."

The overall AFAF campaign tracking website is http://www.afassistancefund.org/fund.

"While the average Air Force base has historically had between 19 and 30 percent participation rate from their active-duty members, I believe Kirtland AFB is far above average. I hope that everybody gives serious consideration to giving to these four worthy charities," said Col. John C. Kubinec, 377th Air Base Wing commander.

For more information, contact Capt. Abbe Warren at abbe.warren@kirtland.af.mil or Master Sgt. John Hennard at john.hennard@kirtland.af.mil.