Air Force Assistance Fund drive under way

It’s time for airmen to help other airmen through the Air Force Assistance Fund drive that continues through April 24.

This year’s goal is $36,262; an amount that Capt. David Troxell said can be achieved by getting a regular bag of popcorn instead of large size at the movies once a month.

Capt. Troxell is a project officer for the annual fundraiser that provides support to airman, retirees, reservists, guardsmen, dependents and surviving spouses.

“It would be great if every individual would find something they could live without or downsize once a month, like that bucket of popcorn,” said Troxell. “It’s all about finding something that we can live without once a month that will give back to our airmen in their time of need. “

Unit representatives will make face-to-face contact with airmen on base, while leaders will also get the word out through commanders’ calls.

“If representatives get a ‘yes,’ airmen will be asked to sign up for a payroll deduction, if irmen say ‘maybe,’ they will be contacted again,” said Troxell. “If the answer is ‘no,’ we’ll just move on to the next airman.”

Reaching Cannon’s goal would entail a payroll deduction of $1 a month for and airman basic through airman 1st Class, to $5 a month for lieutenant colonels and above. Civilians can make cash donations as well.

The AFAF campaign supports four charities:

• The AFAS is the official charity of the Air Force. It is chartered to assist in relieving financial emergencies faced by active duty members and their families. It also assists Reserve and Guard personnel who face unique emergencies. For more information, visit http://www.afas.org.

• Air Force Villages provides widows of career retired Air Force officers with dignified, appropriate and cost-effective living options. For more information, visit http://www.airforcevillages.com/about.html.

• The Air Force Enlisted Village is a non-profit organization that provides a home to enlisted widows and indigent enlisted widows of the Air Force They also provide housing and services to spouses of enlisted members who die on active duty. For more information, visit http://www.afenlistedwidows.org.

• The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation enables surviving spouses to continue living in their own home and community and meet daily living needs. They provide monthly supplemental grants to assist with food, rent, utilities and possibly health care. For more information, visit http://www.lemayfoundation.org.

Although cash donations to the AFAF will be accepted, payroll deductions are preferred.