AFAF campaign: Committed to caring

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Luther Mitchell Jr.
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The Air Force Assistance Fund Campaign has helped Airmen and their families since 1971.

Unlike the Combined Federal Campaign that opened federal doors to outside charities, the AFAF Campaign is exclusively for active-duty military, retired veterans, Guard, Reserve and their families.

This year Air Force leadership proudly announced the 42nd annual Air Force Assistance Fund campaign by establishing the permanent theme of "Commitment to Caring" -- a theme that continues the legacy of Airmen Helping Airmen.

Contributions from the campaign have contributed greatly to the welfare of Airmen and their families serving here at Luke.

"The AFAF has done some really incredible things to help our Airmen, retirees, dependents, guardsmen and reservists here at Luke Air Force Base and Air Force-wide," said Capt. Jay Butler, 56th Aerospace Medicine Squadron Optometry Flight commander and installation project officer. "Historically, the annual charity and assistance our local Air Force and dependents have received from the AFAF has been roughly three times the amount we have generated from contributions, which is incredible."


The AFAF supports four Air Force charities: Air Force Enlisted Village, Air Force Village, Air Force Aid Society, and the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation.

The Air Force Village and Air Force Enlisted Village provide retirees' widows and widowers with a home and caring community among fellow Air Force family members. The Air Force Aid Society takes care of Airmen and their families with emergency assistance, educational loans, tuition for spouses and base enhancement projects, and the LeMay Foundation seeks out and provides the same group short or long-term financial grants.

The impact of these charities to service members can't be understated and really defines what it is to be an Airman.

"We never know when we or someone we care about will be in great need of help," said Butler. "The AFAF aligns perfectly with our AF doctrine of Service before Self. Whether we contribute for religious reasons, or patriotism, or just because we have been a recipient of help and we want to pay it forward, there is always a good reason to contribute. Ninety-five cents or more of every dollar contributed goes directly to our Airmen and families. You can't say that with almost any other charity. The AFAF is truly remarkable in that way."

Now is a great time to give. The AFAF campaign will run until May 1. Look for a unit project officer, squadron representative or keyworker to show your commitment to caring for fellow Airmen.

"Let's spread the word about the AFAF campaign and work to meet unit, wing and AF-wide giving goals," said Gen. Mark Welsh III, Air Force Chief of Staff. By donating to the AFAF, we can put "Commitment to Caring" into action and make a real difference in the lives of all Airmen -- past, present and future."