2010 Air Force Assistance Fund Kicks Off Published Feb. 17, 2010 By 1st. Lt. Clarissa Lopez AFAF Project Officer Feb. 12, 2010 -- The 2010 Air Force Assistance Fund campaign, "Commitment to Caring," kicked off Monday and will run until March 19. The goal for Patrick Air Force Base and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station this year is $40,658 with 100 percent contact of all assigned Air Force personnel. The AFAF campaign is a great opportunity for Airmen to "take care of their own." In its 37th year, 100 percent of designated AFAF contributions will benefit active-duty, eligible Reserve, Guard, retired Air Force personnel, surviving spouses and families. Last year, PAFB/CCAFS contributed $49,398 and received more than $158,000 in program benefits including interest-free loans, grants and scholarships. Each week, the Missileer will highlight a 45th Space Wing program that has benefited from the AFAF. People can voluntarily contribute through cash, check, money order or payroll deduction to any of the following four organizations: * The Air Force Aid Society, which provides Airmen and their families with worldwide emergency financial assistance, education assistance, and an array of base-level, community-enhancement programs. The Airman & Family Readiness Center has full details on programs and eligibility requirements. Details are available at www.afas.org. * The Air Force Enlisted Village, near Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., which was founded in 1967 to provide a safe, secure, and dignified place for indigent widows of retired Air Force enlisted members. Details are available at www.afenlistedwidows.org. * The Air Force Village, in San Antonio, which provides retirement living, with access to continuing health care, for military officers who served honorably and their spouses, with priority to retired Air Force officer widows and widowers in need of financial assistance. The Air Force Village Web site is www.airforcevillages.com. * The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation, which helps widows of all Air Force retirees, both officers and enlisted, through financial grants of assistance. The LeMay Foundation Web site is www.lemay-foundation.org. AFAF charitable organizations receive 100 percent of all designated contributions, and contributions are tax-deductible. For details, visit afassistancefund.org. All base organizations have appointed Unit Project Officers and Key Workers to ensure that all members are contacted and given the opportunity to contribute. While only military members will be contacted, anyone from retirees to civilians can contribute to the AFAF. For details contact your assigned Unit Project Officers or the Installation Project Officers, 1st Lt. Clarissa Lopez at 494-5580 or Capt. Joseph Hammes at 853-4277.