News

Airmen Helping Airmen: AFAF campaign kicks off

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Chuck Walker
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  'Airmen Helping Airmen' is the theme of the Air Force Assistance Fund campaign, which kicked off with a donation drive at the commissary Mar. 11, 2013, on Dover Air Force Base, Del.

The AFAF campaign, which runs from Mar. 11 through April 19, raises money through donations from Airmen to support to support the four charities committed to helping Airmen and their families. The Air Force Enlisted Village provides a home for surviving spouses of retired enlisted Air Force members. The Air Force Village is a retirement community providing care and financial aid to retired Air Force officer widows. The Air Force Aid Society provides emergency grants and interest-free loans to eligible Airmen and their family members. Finally, the LeMay Foundation awards grants to enlisted and officer retirees' spouses.

The AFAF can only solicit donations from active duty, reserve, guard and retired personnel; however, unsolicited donations are accepted from everyone. Donators can give either cash, check or payroll deposit donations.

One family who has benefited from the AFAF this past year was the family of Airman 1st Class Lori Cord, 436th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

In early November 2012, Cord contracted Guillian-Barre Syndrome and was hospitalized for several weeks. Her recovery required her family to be with her. Cord said that the AFAF came through for her when she needed it most.

"When I first gave money to the Air Force Assistance Fund, I never, in my wildest dreams, thought I would be giving it right back to myself," Cord said. "It made me realize, without the kindness of those who give, I wouldn't have had a place to stay when I was released from the hospital. My family and I were running out of time and money and they gave us exactly what we needed."

Cord's father, Rick, said the generosity of the AFAF was overwhelming.

"They took away all our worries when it came to temporary lodging, while our daughter was in no shape, physically or mentally to live on her own," Rick Cord said. "We are most appreciative for their generosity."

The kickoff event offered free ½ dozen Krispy Kreme donuts to the first 234 people who donated and the event was a success.

"I know we had a lot working against us with the time change and the fog, but we were able to raise awareness of what the AFAF is and it was a success in terms of the initial kick off," said Capt. Roz Mailandt-Norris, 436th Communications Squadron and 436th Airlift Wing project officer for the AFAF. "Hopefully those who came out and donated took away more than just donuts."

The goal for the 436th AW is 100% contact with a monetary goal of $60,852.

Col. Rick Moore, 436th Airlift Wing commander, summed up the goals of the AFAF campaign.

"We hope to make this a fun event and a profitable six weeks for Team Dover," Col. Moore said. "We are making it possible to provide support to our Airmen and their families in difficult times."

The group points of contact for the AFAF campaign are:

436th Operations Group: Tech. Sgt. David Grant

436th Mission Support Group: Staff Sgt. Deedrah Seth

436th Medical Group: Master Sgt. Kevin Keene

436th Maintenance Group: Master Sgt. Dennis Munson

436th Wing Staff Agencies: Tech. Sgt. Victor Santillan

512th Airlift Wing: Maj. Marnee Losurdo

Tenant Units: Capt. Daniel Chisolm