Vance AFAF campaign thriving as last week for donations approaches Published April 8, 2009 By 2nd Lt. Lynn Aird 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The Air Force Assistance Fund campaign on base has reached the last leg of its journey. With the April 17 deadline right around the corner, the campaign is coming to a strong finish with over $42,000 collected. "We have shattered last year's record of $41,028," said Capt. Kris Ostrowski, Air Force Assistant Fund Wing project officer. "We've seen a higher level of participation, and collected more money than in previous years." Currently, 31 percent of the base population has contributed to at least one of the four charitable affiliates of the AFAF: the Air Force Aid Society, the Air Force Village Foundation, the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation and the Air Force Enlisted Village. If the base is able to achieve 50 percent participation, the AFAS will provide the wing with a cash award. "One of our big concerns this year was figuring out what will motivate people," explained Captain Ostrowski. "So, along with the typical means of advertising, we decided that a one-on-one approach would appeal to people." Another campaign goal this year is contacting 100 percent of eligible contributors. The idea is to provide Vance members with explanations of the contributions the AFAF and its affiliates give to the Air Force family. Giving a proper explanation allows people to make an informed decision about whether or not they would like to donate. "We have key workers throughout the squadrons and the groups," explained Tech Sgt. James Smith, AFAF Assistant Wing project officer. "The squadron workers talk to the people on their level, and then bring the donations up to the group level. The group representatives then bring the donations and the participation statistics up to us where we compile and report the information to the Wing as well as AETC." "There's still more we can do," said Captain Ostrowski. "We have received more money from the Air Force Assistance Fund than we've collected this year. I would like to eventually see the base give back more to this fund than it receives." The AFAS provided over $56,000 in loans, grants and various other supports to members of Team Vance in 2008. "I want to see us be in a position not only to support our needs here at Vance, but to also help people at other bases," said Captain Ostrowski. "If we stay on the course we've set so far, we should be able to exactly that within the next couple years." For more information on AFAF and to identify your unit key worker, contact Captain Ostrowski, 213-7305, or Sergeant Smith, 213-7919.