RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Randolph's Air Force Assistance Fund campaign reaches its halfway point today, well on its way to meeting its local goal of $214,000.
After the first two weeks of the six-week campaign, Randolph Airmen had pledged $67,819, which is 79 percent of the base's "fair share" target.
"The Randolph and Fort Sam Houston Air Force Assistance Fund campaign is off to a great start and I want to thank all of those who have already been so generous," said Maj. Gordon Pfeil, Randolph AFAF program manager. "I also want to remind our community that we still have three weeks left and we need everyone to be as generous as possible so that we can reach our local goals."
The Air Force Assistance Fund benefits four charities - the Air Force Aid Society, Air Force Enlisted Village, Air Force Village and the Gen. and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation - that provide assistance to active-duty, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and retired personnel as well as surviving Air Force spouses.
"The AFAF charities provide critical assistance to active-duty and retired personnel and they need our help to continue their important work," Major Pfeil said.
"Commitment to Caring" is the theme of this year's campaign, which "continues to capture our proud heritage of taking care of our own," Col. Scott Peel, 902nd Mission Support Group commander, said prior to the kickoff of the campaign.
Major Pfeil said unit project officers and key workers were hoping to reach 100 percent contact of assigned and attached personnel by today. The campaign seeks the contributions of Airmen assigned to Randolph, Joint Base San Antonio headquarters and other detachments at Fort Sam Houston and geographically separated units outside San Antonio.
The campaign doesn't solicit donations from civilians who work at Randolph, but 1st Lt. William Waterworth, also an AFAF program manager, said this segment of the community, especially those who are Air Force retirees, often contribute to the cause.
"It's strictly Air Force people helping the Air Force family," he said. "That's what makes it such a fantastic program."
Major Pfeil said key workers will continue to contact personnel at work and many organizations will have unit fundraisers beginning April 25 to benefit the campaign.
Lieutenant Waterworth said the amount Airmen contribute is up to them.
"It's what they feel they can donate," he said. "Some Airmen donate a lot, but every little bit helps us meet our goal and meet the Air Force's needs."
Lieutenant Waterworth said that, despite bad economic times, Airmen's contributions continue to increase.
"It shows great understanding that it's now more important than ever to donate to this cause," he said.