Moody kicks off AFAF campaign Published March 16, 2009 By Airman 1st Class Frances Locquiao 23rd Wing Public Affairs MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- In an effort to raise money for Air Force members throughout the world, the 2009 Air Force Assistance Fund "Commitment to Caring" campaign for Moody officially kicked off March 13 and will run until April 23. The six-week campaign was established Air Force-wide to provide for an annual effort to raise funds for charitable organizations that provide support to active duty, eligible reservists, Guard, retired Air Force personnel, surviving spouses and families. "The campaign brings back the concept of 'Airmen helping Airmen'," said Master Sgt. James Fashing, AFAF co-installation project officer. "When Airmen and their families run into financial trouble, they can turn to the different charities for help." The AFAF supports four Air Force charities. Each charity will receive 100 percent of all designated contributions, which are tax-deductible. Individuals can voluntarily contribute through cash, check, money order or payroll allotment to any of the following four organizations: -The Air Force Aid Society provides Airmen and their families with worldwide emergency financial assistance, education assistance and an array of base-level, community-enhancement programs. For more information, visit www.afas.org or call Airman and Family Readiness Center at 257-4772. -The Air Force Enlisted Village near Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., was founded in 1967 to provide a safe, secure and dignified place for indigent widows of retired Air Force enlisted members. More information is available at www.afenlistedwidows.org. -The Air Force Village in San Antonio provides retirement living with access to continuing health care for military officers who served honorably and their spouses, with priority to retired Air Force officer widows and widowers in need of financial assistance. The Air Force Village Web site is www.airforcevillages.com. -The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation helps widows of all Air Force retirees, both officers and enlisted, through financial grants of assistance. The foundation Web site is www.lemay-foundation.org. Each Moody unit has a project officer designated as the point of contact and is responsible for personally contacting each military member and providing them with the information and the chance to donate. "Moody's goal for this year is $73,038 and I have no doubt we will surpass that," said Master Sgt. Robert Sams, AFAF co-installation project officer. There is also a suggested guide that shows how much money can be donated based on rank. Moody's AFAFcampaign guide is available here. "I turned to the Air Force Aid Society back when I was a senior airman, so I know the importance of donating," said Sergeant Sams. "Any amount can make a difference in someone's life and it's a great way of taking care of our own people." For more information or to locate a unit project officer, call Sergeant Fashing at 257-4557. "It's a great opportunity to come together and do what we can for our Airmen and their families," said Sergeant Fashing. "If you can't donate, then participate or volunteer at the different fundraisers. "The campaign and the organizations provides many of our Air Force members a place to turn in case of an emergency," he added.