AFAF provides winter warmth

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Amanda Mills
  • Public Affairs
Vance Air Force Base, Okla. --  It was 5 degrees and the furnace was out. The husband was deployed to Iraq.
The situation could have been hopeless if not for the Team Vance family and Air Force Assistance Fund.
Staff Sgt. Garrett Miller, 71st Operations Support Squadron, was deployed to Iraq from September to January. During one phone call with his wife, Tiffani, in December, she reported their furnace was out.
"She called a repair man to come fix it, because we thought it would only take a small part to fix it," Sergeant Miller said. "When I called the next day, she told me the whole furnace had to be replaced and that it would cost $1,000."
Although the Millers had money in savings, most of it was spent on the upcoming holiday for their two children, 6-year-old Tanner and 1-year-old Tianna.
"I knew we needed help," Sergeant Miller said. "So I spoke with my chief controller and first sergeant at my deployed location. They then contacted (Master) Sgt. (Joe) Lawley and (Master) Sgt. (David) Jones, my first sergeant and supervisor here, about getting assistance to my family."
Sergeant Jones sent Mrs. Miller to the family support center, where she worked with Angel Dominguez, 71st Mission Support Squadron personal financial counselor. Help came in the form of a no-interest loan, provided for by contributions from the AFAF.
"I was very paranoid about asking for help, I don't usually like asking people for help," Mrs. Miller said. "But Mr. Dominguez was so glad to help and made it seem like it was not a big deal. He never once made me feel uneasy."
Sergeant Miller said he felt good knowing people were looking out for his family's needs during the winter.
"I was worried about how my family was keeping warm, because it was only about 5 degrees that day," he said. "The furnace was vital, but my family received the money very quickly. I'm so thankful my Vance and Air Force family was looking out for my family."
The Millers were familiar with the AFAF, because they are contributors.
"It's extremely important to help people," Mrs. Miller said. "I almost felt lost when this happened, I couldn't imagine another family going through it. The AFAF is important because in situations like ours, it's so great that the assistance is there for them."
Sergeant Miller re-enlisted during his deployment, partly because of his experience.
"I wanted to re-enlist already, but this just reinforced my decision," he said. "I couldn't get this kind of support on the civilian side."
Mrs. Miller thanked those who helped her and her family through the difficult situation.
"They all saved me; I wouldn't know what to have done without them," she said. "One day I asked for the money, and it seemed like the next day it was there, it was so fast. I no longer had to worry about my children's safety. They are all life savers and God sends."
The Vance AFAF drive ends April 15. AFAF benefits active-duty, Reserve and Guard members, retired Air Force people, surviving spouses and families.
People can contribute to the Air Force Assistance Fund through cash, check,
money order or payroll deduction to The Air
Force Aid Society, The Air Force Enlisted Village Indigent Widow's Fund, The Air Force Village Indigent Widow's Fund or The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation. Contributions are tax deductible.