YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — The annual Air Force Assistance Fund drive has cranked up at most Pacific bases, with Yokota set to join the effort March 27 after it emerges from an intense Operational Readiness Inspection by Pacific Air Forces.
Officials said contributions benefit charitable organizations that support Air Force active-duty members, Guard and reservists, retirees, surviving spouses and families in need. They include the Air Force Village Indigent Widows’ Fund, Air Force Aid Society, General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation and the Air Force Enlisted Village Indigent Widows’ Fund.
The overall campaign is conducted Feb. 13 to May 5 but the Air Force allows installations to pick a six-week period of participation within the larger window, said Capt. Sarah Mountin of the 374th Staff Judge Advocate’s office, who’s heading the project at Yokota.
“If we’d had it during the week of the ORI, it wouldn’t be a problem,” she said Thursday. “But once that’s off people’s minds, hopefully they’ll be loving the Air Force again and be willing to give money.”
Yokota was generous in 2005, she said, raising almost $94,000. The base then received more than $186,000 in emergency assistance, educational loans and community enhancement.
“They hand out money back to the bases as needed or requested,” she said.
The charities managing the fund also help secure retirement homes and cost-effective living options for widows or widowers of airmen who require financial aid, officials said.
“The Air Force doesn’t take a cut of this money,” Mountin said. “It may be run by the Air Force … but contributions are turned over to these four organizations and 100 percent of the benefits are received by Air Force members. It’s Air Force members really helping their own.”
The Air Force Assistance Fund and its four affiliates receive no taxpayer support, she added. All their money is generated by the fund-raising drive.
Mountin said the Air Force Aid Society is concerned about donor fatigue. It provided more than $2.5 million in hurricane relief last year after Katrina and Rita devastated the U.S. Gulf Coast.
“They’re worried they’re not going to be getting a lot of funds this year because of the hurricanes,” she said. “I don’t think that’s necessarily accurate. If people want to give, they give.”
The Air Force Personnel Center, which runs the campaign, establishes a target goal for each base.
Individuals, squadrons and private organizations may donate to any or all four foundations. Gifts are accepted by cash, check or payroll deduction. People interested in donating should contact their unit representatives or installation project officers.
Visit www.afassistancefund.org for more information about the campaign.
Tragets and contacts at Far East bases ...A look at the dates, target goals and contacts for the 2006 Air Force Assistance Fund campaign at Pacific bases:
Andersen Air Force Base, Guam: March 17 to April 27, $22,923, 1st Lt. Rosanna Wadkins, DSN 366-6100.
Kadena Air Base, Okinawa: March 13 to April 23, $98,771, 1st Lt. Darren Hill, DSN 632-8634.
Kunsan Air Base, South Korea: Feb. 20 to April 2, $35,997, Capt. Christopher Lovett, DSN 782-4501.
Misawa Air Base, Japan: March 5 to April 15, $44,145, Master Sgt. Kevin Robinson, DSN 226-3129.
Osan Air Base, South Korea: March 13 to April 23, $90,828, Maj. Celene Fyffe, DSN 784-7890.
Yokota Air Base, Japan: March 27 to May 5, $48,937, Capt. Sarah Mountin, DSN 225-8069.
— Vince Little
