2009 Air Force Assistance Fund drive starts March 2 Published Feb. 26, 2009 By Capt. Michael Lynn AFAF Project Officer PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The 2009 Air Force Assistance Fund (AFAF) campaign, "Commitment to Caring", kicks off for Patrick Air Force Base and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Monday and will run until April 10. The goal for this year is $39,210 with 100 percent contact of all assigned Air Force personnel. The AFAF campaign is a great opportunity for AF members to "take care of their own." In its 36th year, 100 percent of designated AFAF contributions will benefit active-duty, eligible Reserve, Guard, retired Air Force personnel, surviving spouses and families. Last year, Patrick and Cape Canaveral contributed $45,572 and received more than $158,000 in program benefits including interest-free loans, grants and scholarships. "Once again, it's all about Airmen helping Airmen... people helping people. That's what we've always done at the 45th Space Wing and I know we'll continue this most worthwhile tradition," said Brig. Gen. Edward L. Bolton, Jr., commander, 45th Space Wing commander. "We always find a way to do that," he said. 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. Information is available at the Airman and Family Readiness Center or at www.afas.org. · The Air Force Enlisted Village near Eglin AFB, Fla., which was founded in 1967 to provide a safe, secure, and dignified place for indigent widows of retired Air Force enlisted members. More information is 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 foundation Web site is www.lemay-foundation.org. AFAF charitable organizations receive 100 percent of all designated contributions, and contributions are tax-deductible. For more information, visit afassistancefund.org. All organizations have appointed Unit Project Officers and Key Workers to ensure that all AF members are contacted and given the opportunity to contribute to the AFAF. While only military members will be contacted, anyone from retirees to civilians can contribute to the AFAF. For further information please contact your assigned Unit Project Officers.