Every dollar counts

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Soo C. Kim
  • 374 Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  From March 25 to May 3, Yokota Airmen took initiative and pitched in their dollars and dimes, helping their fellow wingman through financial difficulties.

Yokota's Airmen raised a total of $87,293 for the Air Force Assistance Fund, superseding this year's goal of $57,904.

"The AFAF is all about Airmen taking care of Airmen," said Master Sgt. David Arnett, an AFAF project officer assigned to the 374th Logistic Readiness Squadron. "Every dollar Airmen donate to the foundation goes to assist Airmen from the past, present and future."

The AFAF was established to provide for an annual effort to raise funds for the charitable affiliates that provide support to the Air Force family: active duty, retirees, reservists, guard and dependents.

Four organizations that benefit from AFAF are the Air Force Villages, the Air Force Aid Society, the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation, and the Air Force Enlisted Village.

Each organization provides a multitude of services benefitting to the Air Force family, ranging from financial assistance to retirement support.

The Air Force Aid Society is the official charity of the U.S. Air Force, promoting the Air Force mission by helping "to relieve distress of Air Force members and their families and assisting them to finance their education," according to www.afas.org.

Air Force Villages and the Air Force Enlisted Village are military retirement community, providing homes to widowed spouses of retired Air Force officers and enlisted.

The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation provide help to widows of all Air Force retirees, both officers and enlisted, through financial grants of assistance, according to www.lemay-foundation.org.

"Yokota raised more than 151% of this year's goal and we are still receiving donations after the deadline," Arnett said. "Next year around, we would like to see even more participation. We hope to get over 50% active duty participation."

For those interested in AFAF and donating, please visit http://www.afassistancefund.org/.