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Team Shaw kicks off 2015 AFAF campaign

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Michael Cossaboom
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Team Shaw kicked off the 2015 Air Force Assistance Fund campaign here, at the Carolina Skies Club and Conference Center with a buffet style breakfast, March 19.

The AFAF campaign is an annual effort to raise funds for charities that support Air Force members and their families in times of emergency, educational assistance, or other financial problems that may arise.

The campaign funds four Air Force charities: the Air Force Aid Society, Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation, the Lemay Foundation, and the Air Force Enlisted Village.

"The AFAF can help Airmen directly through the Air Force Aid Society which gave out over $250,000 in grants and loans to Shaw Airmen last year," said Senior Master Sgt. Jacob Peeterse, 20th Component Maintenance Squadron test, measurement and diagnostics equipment flight chief. "Additionally, the Air Force Village, Enlisted Village, and General and Mrs. Curtis E. Lemay all help widows and widowers of both enlisted members and officers."

For the 2015 campaign, Team Shaw's goal is to raise more than $105,625.

"There has been times when service members are stationed overseas and they have a loved one state side pass away,"  said Col. Stephen Jost, 20th Fighter Wing commander, "That's where the Air Force Assistance Fund can step in and help with getting them back home."

Both service members and civilians can donate to the AFAF campaign through a unit program officer.

"This is our best opportunity to take care of Airmen in need here at Shaw," said Peeterse. "No other program gives directly back to our Airmen like AFAF. The vast majority of the Shaw population has been touched in some way by the AFAF charities, most likely through Air Force Aid Society grants and loans that help members through extremely difficult situations. No matter how small or large, all donations help our Airmen."

The AFAF campaign runs through May 1, but may be extended if 100 percent contact is not made.