Wolf Pack kicks off Air Force Assistance Fund Campaign

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Patrice Clarke
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Kunsan Air Force Base, Republic of Korea --  The Annual Air Force Assistance Fund campaign kicks off here March 8. Wolf Pack members gathered in front of the base exchange in recognition of this annual fund drive with food and donations.

This year's theme "Commitment to Caring," sends the message to Airmen about the importance of taking care of themselves and each other.

The campaign, now in its 37th year, will run from March 8 through April 16.

Colonel Patrick Clements, commander of the 8th Mission Support Group kicked off the event with opening remarks. The Colonel emphasized the importance of giving back and the rewards of donating to the AFAF charities which focuses solely on Air Force members as direct beneficiaries.

Because AFAF charities directly benefit active-duty, eligible Reserves, Guard, retired Air Force personnel and, surviving spouses and families donating to these causes is a great opportunity for Airmen to "take care of their own."

The AFAF campaign allows members to donate by cash, check or money order, or use payroll deductions to one or all four of the different charities listed below.

-- The Air Force Aid Society, which provides Airmen and their families worldwide with emergency financial assistance, education assistance and an array of base-level community-enhancement programs. More information is available at www.afas.org.

-- The Air Force Enlisted Village, which includes Teresa Village in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. and Bob Hope Village in Shalimar, Fla., near Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The fund provides homes and financial assistance to widows and widowers of retired enlisted people 55 and older. Hawthorn House, also in Shalimar, provides assisted living for residents requiring more assistance than others, including 24-hour nursing care. More information is available at www.afenlistedwidows.org.

-- Air Force Village, which includes Air Force Village I and II in San Antonio, is a life-care community for retired officers, spouses, widows or widowers and family members. The Air Force Village Web site is www.airforcevillages.com.

-- The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation, which provides rent and financial assistance to widows and widowers of officer and enlisted retirees in their homes and communities through financial grants of assistance. The LeMay Foundation Web site is www.lemay-foundation.org.

Contributions to the AFAF are tax deductible. For more information about the charitable organizations and AFAF visit www.afassistancefund.org.

The 8th Fighter Wing group and squadron representatives are listed below.

8 FW/Wing Staff -- 2nd Lt. Fiona Dailey

8 OG -- Capt Nathaniel Freeman (35 FS)
Capt Christopher Arnott (80 FS)
1st. Lt Robert McKay (391 FS)
Tech Sgt. Amanda Merkl (8 OSS)

8 MSG -- 1st Lt. Adam Morgan
Senior Master Sgt. Christian Bobzien
Master Sgt. Blair Kelley (SFS)
Staff Sgt. Joshua Holliday (FSS)
Master Sgt. Nancy Forrester (LRS)
Master Sgt. Michael Young (CS)
Master Sgt. Kevin Gonyea (CE)

8 MXG -- Senior Master Sgt. Andrew Sprock
Senior Master Sgt. Charles Moffe (AMXS)
Tech Sgt. Timothy Coffey (MXS)
Staff Sgt. Terra Johnson (MOS)

8 MDG -- Tech Sgt. Steven Fredman
Staff Sgt. Demetrius Best