Taking care of our own with AFAF

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Lane T. Plummer
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  Ramstein's Air Force Assistance Fund is slated to accept donations that support Airmen and their dependents from Mar. 21 through Apr. 29, 2016.

For 43 years, the AFAF has sustained four affiliate Air Force charities that give back to Airmen and their dependents: the Air Force Enlisted Village, the Air Force Village Charitable Foundation, the Air Force Aid Society and the General and Mrs. Curtis E. Lemay Foundation.

According to Master Sgt. Antonio Lindsey, 86th Wing Staff Agency and 86th Comptroller Squadron first sergeant, this program is a great way to show generosity and take care of wingmen.

"We work day-in and day-out with each other and through that daily interaction, we hear the myriad of struggles we all go through," said Lindsey. 'The AFAF and other programs alike are in place to take care of the personal concerns and needs of Airmen and their families so [they] can focus on the mission."

The charitable affiliates provide support for Airmen and their dependents in many ways, including those in emergencies and who need help paying for educational costs.

One Airman that has received help is Master Sgt. Dwayne Justice, 86th Maintenance Group programs and resources section chief.

"My former wife and I were going to have a baby... unfortunately, he didn't make it into the world," said Justice. "The AFAF gave me a grant to pay for the entire funeral. The fact that we didn't have to worry about where the money was going to come from allowed us to focus on our family's emotional and mental health."

Airmen can donate to the AFAF at https://mypay.dfas.mil/mypay.aspx and retirees can donate at www.afassistancefund.org.

These four Air Force affiliates have provided help to many families and Airmen in need, whether it was to cover a cost of a funeral or to help pay for college tuition. The AFAF is about Airmen helping other Airmen, and this year, it's not about Airmen giving more: it's about more Airmen giving.