JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
The 2010 Air Force Assistance Fund is scheduled to begin for the Air Force District of Washington team and will run for six weeks starting Monday to continue their "commitment to caring."
The AFAF campaign is an annual, on-the-job fundraiser conducted by Air Force personnel to provide support to four AFAF affiliates: the Air Force Aid Society, the Air Force Villages, the Air Force Enlisted Village and the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation. These organizations help the Air Force family by aiding Airmen in case of an emergency, assisting those with educational needs and providing a secure retirement home for widows or widowers of Air Force members.
"Airmen are good people," said Capt. John Bixby, Joint Base Andrews project officer for AFAF. "We are giving, compassionate, motivated people - we serve the needs of humanity down range, and we do it right here at home through efforts like the AFAF."
The target audience for the AFAF campaign is Active Duty servicemembers since they directly benefit from AFAF affiliates. However, those collecting donations may accept unsolicited contributions from other individuals such as retired military, civilian employees, sister-service military personnel and veterans.
Key personnel are designated at the unit level to give every Active Duty Joint Team Andrews member the opportunity to contribute. Contributors can make a donation in a lump sum by cash or check, and members can also participate in a payroll deduction plan. Contributors can choose for their entire donation to be dedicated to an AFAF affiliate, or they can divide their giving's to reach those they are most passionate to support.
"Airmen are hungry to give and I think it is part of our collective calling to serve," said Captain Bixby. "We readily identify with the impulse to care for our own and it's our way of connecting with humanity. Giving is satisfying and it is contagious."
The current goal for team AFDW is to make 100 percent contact with military members, including deployed personnel, and to raise military participation. In 2009, military participation was at 25 percent, an increase from 2008's 20 percent.
"No single effort works so hard to do so much for our Airmen and families in need," said Captain Bixby. "Genuine service is at the core of our personal and professional existence. The Air Force Assistance Fund actualizes our commitment to caring."