AFAF campaign begins March 3

  • Published
  • By 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The annual Air Force Assistance Fund is scheduled to begin at Travis Air Force Base March 3 and run through April 11.

The AFAF is an annual campaign that raises money for four charities that directly support active duty, Reserve, Guard and retired Airmen and their dependents.

These charities include the Air Force Aid Society, Air Force Enlisted Village, Air Force Village, and the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay foundation. These organizations help Airmen with aid during an emergency, assist with educational needs, provide a retirement community, and support widows or widowers of Air Force members.

"At the simplest level, AFAF is about Airmen taking care of other Airmen in need," said Capt. Matthew Bartomeo, 22nd Airlift Squadron assistance chief of readiness and AFAF installation project officer. "In 2012, Air Force Aid Society gave Travis Airmen almost $400,000 more in aid than it received in donations from our base. All the support given to these organizations go directly to Airmen and on a local level."

According to Bartomeo, this year's goal is for Travis to raise $105,696. The goal can be reached if every individual donates 0.2 percent of their monthly base pay.

To learn more about how to contribute to the campaign and about the organizations that benefit from the AFAF, a complimentary buffet-style breakfast is scheduled for March 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Delta Breeze Club. The breakfast also provides an opportunity to hear how the campaign has impacted people in the past.

Group and unit AFAF representatives will also be present during the breakfast. The 2014 AFAF Representatives are:

60th Air Mobility Wing: Capt. Matthew Bartomeo and Senior Master Sgt. Matilda Mahone

60th Mission Support Group: Senior Master Sgt. Issac Harris and Master Sgt. Russell Koch

60th Operations Group: 1st Lt. John Hevia and Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Michaels

60th Maintenance Group: Senior Master Sgt. Lisa Williams and 2nd Lt. Keith Deering

60th Medical Group: Master Sgt. John Hammack and Master Sgt. Freda Henderson

621st Contingency Response Wing: Capt. Bradley Huebner

349th Air Mobility Wing: Senior Master Sgt. Catherine Monteon

Wing Staff: Staff Sgt. Asia Cook and Staff Sgt. Alicia Davila