RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
From emergency assistance to higher education, the Air Force Aid Society has met the financial needs of Air Force members and their families for more than 65 years.
Now is the time of year that Air Force members can return the favor.
The Air Force Aid Society is one of four charitable organizations that benefit from the Air Force Assistance Fund. The annual fund drive benefits Air Force active-duty, guard and reserve personnel and their families as well as retirees. The 2008 Randolph campaign began March 31 and runs through May 11.
This year's campaign slogan is "Drive for Five." Team Randolph servicemembers are asked to consider donating a minimum of $5 per month.
The other charities that receive funding through the AFAF are the Air Force Villages Indigent Widows' Fund, the Air Force Enlisted Village Indigent Widows' Fund and The Gen. and Mrs. Curtis LeMay Foundation.
The Air Force Aid Society was created in 1942 as a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help relieve the financial distress of Air Force members and their families and to assist them in financing their higher education goals. In 2007, the AFAS helped more than 35,000 Air Force members and their families worldwide with more than $19 million in interest-free loans and grants.
Active-duty and retired Air Force members and their dependents are eligible for AFAS assistance, as are the dependents of deceased Air Force personnel who died on active duty or in retired status.
According to officials, emergency assistance makes up the largest part of AFAS' yearly outlays. The AFAS provides interest-free loans and grants for short-term or one-time emergencies such as food, rent and utilities as well as medical and dental expenses. It also helps with car repairs and emergency travel needs.
The AFAS also provides assistance with the cost of higher education through two programs, the Education Grant Program and the Spouse Tuition Assistance Program.
Community enhancement programs are also important to the Air Force Aid Society, said Steve Mayfield, Randolph AFAS manager.
"In addition to emergency grants and interest-free loans, the Air Force Aid Society offers child care and oil changes for automobiles for families with deployed parents, baby wellness programs, phone cards for deployed personnel, youth employment training and many more programs," he said. "If there is a true need on our base, the Aid Society probably has a way to help."
Mr. Mayfield said Randolph personnel donated about $116,000 during the 2007 AFAF campaign.
The Air Force Aid Society plays an invaluable role in assisting deployed members.
Chief Master Sgt. Stephen Page, 12th Flying Training Wing command chief, said the AFAS recently helped a wounded Airman and his family after his return from Iraq.
"He returned with a large portion of his body burned," Chief Page said. "His wife flew to Brooke Army Medical Center with him from Germany. When she got out of the plane, I met her and told her she would want for nothing. The Air Force Aid Society stepped up and took care of her and their family while he recovered here in San Antonio."
For more information on the campaign, call Captain Travis at 652-9356 or 652-9357.