AFAF: A Lifeline When It’s Needed Most

  • Published
  • By Lisa M. Riley
  • 88th Air Base Wing
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  

Military life brings unique challenges. A sudden car repair can disrupt a family’s budget, an unexpected emergency can require last-minute travel, and the pursuit of education can feel financially out of reach. For surviving spouses of retirees, the fear of losing their home or not being able to afford dignified care is a heavy burden.

This is where your Air Force Assistance Fund donation steps in. It’s not an abstract contribution; it’s a lifeline. It’s the no-interest loan that keeps an Airman’s car on the road so they can get to their mission. It’s the grant that helps a young family when insurance won’t cover costs. It’s the peace of mind for an elderly widow who can remain in her home or move into a secure retirement community, surrounded by people who understand her journey. The AFAF ensures that when life throws a curveball, our Air and Space Force family has a place to turn for help.

The Team Wright-Patt AFAF campaign kicked off Monday, March 30 with a goal of raising $79,000. Col. Dustin Richards, 88th Air Base Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Joseph Serrano, acting 88th Air Base Wing command chief were the first two to complete their pledge forms.

“AFAF is for Airmen, by Airmen,” said Richards

Serrano knows first-hand the lifeline that AFAF can provide at the most critical times.

“I’m a beneficiary of AFAF,” Serrano said.

He explained that as a young Airman the AFAF helped him cover airline fees as he travelled back and forth to assist his sisters during his mother’s illness. His years of ongoing support to AFAF gives back to the organization that bridged this critical gap for him and sustains the same opportunities for today’s Airmen.

“If not us, then who?” he said.

How It Works: Four Charities, One Mission

When you donate to the AFAF, your contribution is distributed among four official, interconnected charities, each serving a specific and vital need:

  • The Air & Space Forces Aid Society (AFAS): As the official charity of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force, AFAS provides rapid, no-interest loans and grants for service members and their families facing emergencies. From rent and food to disaster relief and educational scholarships, AFAS is often the first line of defense.
  • The Air Force Enlisted Village (AFEV): With a focus on the enlisted community, this charity provides a secure and caring home for surviving spouses of enlisted members.
  • The Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation (AFVCF): This foundation provides a continuing care retirement community for retired officers and their spouses, ensuring they have a place to live with dignity, even if they face financial hardship.
  • The LeMay Foundation: Uniquely, this charity helps surviving spouses of both officer and enlisted retirees remain in their own homes by providing monthly grants to assist with everyday living expenses.

Join the Mission: Who Can Help and How

The AFAF campaign is rooted in the principle of "by Airmen and Guardians, for Airmen and Guardians." For this reason, active fundraising is focused on those who are eligible to receive assistance: active-duty service members, Guardsmen, Reservists, and retirees.

However, the spirit of giving extends to our entire community. Civilian employees, family members, and friends who wish to support our Airmen and Guardians are welcome and encouraged to make unsolicited donations. Every dollar contributes to the mission.

AFAF Project Officer, Master Sgt. Aza Pierce, says she always donates because it’s just the right thing to do. At her first assignment 21 years ago, she was guided by her leadership to the AFAF to help with funds to cover airline costs to return home to her grandmother’s funeral.

“I was there for literally two weeks,” she said. “It was after the holiday, so I had no money at all…. they helped me pay for my trip back home, emergency money. And so, I always, always, always will donate because it’s just the right thing to do.”

The Team Wright-Patt AFAF campaign runs through June 12.

Giving is simple:

  • Contact your Squadron Key Worker to donate via cash or check.
  • Sign up for payroll deduction to make a recurring contribution.
  • Text AFAF to 50155 or scan the QR code found on AFAF posters to give electronically.

Your gift, no matter the size, sends a clear message: we are a community that truly takes care of its own.

“If we can’t take care of ourselves, how can we expect others to?” said Serrano.