Team Vance begins AFAF campaign Published Nov. 28, 2006 By Staff Sgt. Amanda Mills Public Affairs Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- Vance Air Force Base's Air Force Assistance Fund campaign runs Monday to April 22. The annual "Commitment to Caring" campaign runs in conjunction with the Air Force-wide campaign. The campaign gives people the opportunity to donate to four charities: the Air Force Aid Society, the Air Force Enlisted Villages, the Air Force Village Indigent Widow's Fund in San Antonio or the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation. These charities aid active-duty, Reserve, Guard, Air Force retirees, surviving spouses and families. "The drive's slogan is 'Airmen helping Airmen,' because that's what we're trying to do here," said 2nd Lt. Chris Stratton, 71st Communications Squadron and installation project officer. "Our contributions can ultimately have a direct impact on ourselves." Vance received $46,510 in Air Force aid in 2004. This included $23,150 in emergency loans and grants, $9,000 in education grants, $3, 929 for childcare for permanent moves, $800 for HeartLink and more. "People never know when an emergency might happen and they might not have the money for what they need," Lieutenant Stratton said. "But Air Force aid isn't just for emergencies, it's also for school and to help families left behind when the military member deploys, like for car care. I don't know of any civilian program like this." Unit project officers will be canvassing the squadrons, Lieutenant Stratton said. Civilians cannot be solicited, but are welcome to donate. Active-duty people and retirees can contribute through cash, check, money order or payroll deduction. Civilians can donate by cash or check. All contributions are tax deductible. "I donated last year when I was still in the service, because I know the contributions go right back to military people," said David Gindlesberger, 71st Comptroller Squadron. "The AFAF is a good program everyone should donate to, because they never know when they might need help." For more information, people can contact one of the following representatives: Installation Project Officers Primary -- Lieutenant Stratton, 7223 Alternate -- 1st Lt. Karen Ostrowski, 71st Mission Support Squadron, 7560 Operations Group Group -- 1st Lt. Corey Peay, 6704 8th Flying Training Squadron -- 2nd Lt. Gregory Riley, 7525 25th FTS -- 1st Lt. Garrett Wilson, 7459 32nd FTS -- Capt. Cory Bulris, 6522 33rd FTS -- Capt. Karsten Anderson, 6705 71st Operations Support Squadron -- Staff Sgt. Tina Grewell, 7203 Mission Support Group Group -- Staff Sgt. Timothy Coleman, 7415 71st Security Forces Squadron -- Tech. Sgt. Roberto Torres, 7894 71st MSS -- Master Sgt. Mary McClelland, 6288 71st Logistics Readiness Squadron -- Tech. Sgt. Timothy O'Connor, 7073 71st Communications Squadron -- 2nd Lt. Juan Lopez, 6429 Wing staff agencies -- Tech. Sgt. Keith Westerbeck, 6201 Medical Group Group -- 1st Lt. David Huinker, 6408 71st Medical Support Squadron -- Capt. Leah Cross, 7783 71st Medical Operations Squadron -- Staff Sgt. Brande Barkley, 7418