Tinker’s annual Air Force Assistance Fund drive kicked off this week and runs through April 11.
The fund drive supports charitable organizations that provide for active duty, guard, reserve, retirees and dependents, including surviving spouses. Last year, Tinker’s fundraising drive raised $71,708. This year, Team Tinker’s goal is $97,158, said Capt. Chuck Schulz, a member of the 76th Propulsion Maintenance Group and one of the AFAF installation project officers.
“The Air Force Assistance Fund is an opportunity for Airmen to support four organizations that do so much for us in times of crisis. None of these charities are supported with federal funding, they rely heavily on donations to operate,” said Captain Schulz.
The organizations that receive support from the Air Force Assistance Fund drive are: the Air Force Aid Society, the Air Force Village Indigent Widows’ Fund, the Air Force Enlisted Village Indigent Widows’ fund and The General and Mrs. Curtis Lemay Foundation.
The Air Force Aid Society is the official charity of the Air Force. Airmen can visit the Air Force Aid society coordinator at their base and apply for grants or loans for emergency medical bills, car repair, travel to be with a sick family member, even food, rent or utilities.
The Air Force Village Indigent Widows’ Fund provides widows or widowers of retired career Air Force officers with affordable living options. Since 1970, the fund has paid out more than $10 million covering health care services, living accommodations for up to one year and dependent care for elderly parents and grandparents.
The Air Force Enlisted Village Indigent Widows’ fund has provided homes for more than 1,600 surviving spouses since 1975 at its north Florida facilities. The housing and services are available to spouses of enlisted members who have died on active duty. The village also provides emergency housing to active duty or retired Airmen and their families during natural disasters.
The General and Mrs. Curtis Lemay Foundation provides nationwide financial assistance to widows of all retired Air Force personnel. Funds are given with “no strings attached.”
Since the Air Force Assistance Fund is administered directly by the Air Force, 95 percent of funds received go directly to the mission of supporting Airmen and their families and 100 percent of donations are tax deductable for the donor, said Captain Schulz.
Every unit will have an AFAF Unit Project officer. The Unit Project Officer will nominate key workers to hand out the AF Form 2561, which is the form people can use to donate to the AFAF campaign.