AFAF kicks off Published March 21, 2008 By Capt. Tony Wickman Public Affairs VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The 2008 Team Vance Air Force Assistance Fund kicked off March 19, and the base is working hard to meet its goal of raising money to help others. This year's AFAF campaign provides Airmen the opportunity to contribute to any of four official Air Force charitable organizations, and all contributions will benefit active-duty, Reserve, Guard, retired Air Force people, surviving spouses and families. According to Capt. Mike Toth, Vance AFAF project officer, the AFAF gives each member of Team Vance the ability to make a difference via a worthwhile endeavor. "I'm asking people to contribute what they think they can afford to help, because every little bit counts and no amount is too small. A dollar a month or more to the AFAF makes a difference to someone in our community," he said. "This is about the Air Force family taking care of its own." Captain Toth said the goal is 100 percent contact across the base, and he expects the base to exceed its goal. AFAF was established to provide an annual effort to raise funds for the charitable affiliates that provide support to Air Force families in need. People can contribute to AFAF through cash, check, money order or payroll deduction to: The Air Force Aid Society, which provides Airmen and their families with worldwide emergency financial assistance, education assistance and an array of base-level community-enhancement programs. Base family support centers have full details on programs and eligibility requirements. Information is also available online at http://www.afas.org/. The Air Force Enlisted Village Indigent Widow's Fund in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., near Eglin Air Force Base, which provides rent subsidy and other support to indigent widows and widowers of retired enlisted people 55 and older. More information is available at http://www.afenlistedwidows.org. The Air Force Village Indigent Widow's Fund in San Antonio, Texas, a life-care community for retired officers, spouses, widows or widowers and family members. The Air Force Village Web site is http://www.airforcevillages.com. The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation, which provides rent and financial assistance to indigent widows and widowers of officers and enlisted people in their own homes and communities. The LeMay Foundation Web site is http://www.lemayfoundation.org/. AFAF unit project officers will contact members for the chance to contribute. The following list is the Team Vance project officers: Group Reps 71 OG: Capt. Craig Morash 71 MSG: 2nd Lt. Kim Husher 71 MDG: 1st Lt. Christy Cruz WSA: 1st Lt. Jennifer Greig Squadron Reps 3 FTS: 1st Lt. Cody Clark 8 FTS: Capt. Jeb Blair 25 FTS: 1st Lt. Bryan Zumbro 32 FTS: 1st Lt. Pete Amaral 33 FTS: 1st Lt. Chad McElvain 71 OSS: Senior Airman Sarah Price 71 MDOS: Staff Sgt. Amy Snyder 71 MDSS: Staff Sgt. Nina Sellers 71 LRS: Tech. Sgt. Akiem Jenkins 71 SFS: Airman 1st Class Justin Gorecki 71 CS: Master Sgt. David Aleshire 71 CPTS: Airman 1st Class Matt Petway 71 FTW/CP: Staff Sgt. Chad Henry 71 FTW/HC: Dave McCoy 71 FTW/MAQ: Tech. Sgt. Markus Schnellhammer This year's campaign continues through April 29. For more information on the AFAF charities, visit www.afassistancefund.org.