COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The Air Force Assistance Fund at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, officially begins March 27.
Team BLAZE held a breakfast March 21 to kick off the campaign and prepare local key workers.
Capt. Jonathan Harris, 14th Operations Support Squadron and Wing AFAF Project Officer, welcomed everyone and thanked them for taking part. He said the goal is for everyone to make 100-percent contact.
“We also aim to raise $27,653 and I believe we will be more than successful,” Harris said. “I am confident in Team BLAZE. I’m looking forward to working with everyone and taking care of our own.”
Col. Doug Gosney, 14th Flying Training Wing Commander and keynote speaker, thanked everyone for attending.
“Special thanks to Captain Speedo Harris and Staff Sgt. Shaylah McKinney-Jones and all of our POCs and key workers for volunteering to lead this year’s campaign,” he said.
The colonel continued by encouraging the participants to educate and inspire others to give back and make a difference. He said a successful campaign requires everyone to give just a little to make a huge difference.
“Unlike other campaigns, every dollar donated goes to taking care of Airmen through four charities – the Air Force Aid Society, Air Force Villages (Charitable Foundation), Air Force Enlisted Village, and the (Gen. and Mrs. Curtis E.) LeMay Foundation,” Gosney said. “The AFAF is a great avenue to contribute and be charitable. The important thing is to give back, regardless of the avenue you choose to use.”
He also said it requires passionate leadership and a personal story, so people understand how important their contributions are. He then followed his own advice and shared his story of how charitable donations helped his family in 2014 when his then 13-year-old daughter was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.
“That is why I am a big believer in the AFAF and charitable programs like it,” Gosney said. “I can almost guarantee that if you will learn about these charities and find a story to share with the members of your squadrons, they will be touched by it and find a way to give a little as well.”
Gosney then closed his speech by thanking the participants for what they have already done and what they will do.
“I look forward to a very successful campaign here at Columbus AFB,” he said.
The AFAF runs March 27 – May 5. To donate or for more information, contact the group leads: 14th Operations Group - Capt. Simon Kassemi; 14th Mission Support Group - 1st Lt. Adam Kriete; 14th Medical Group - Tech. Sgt. George MacEachern; or Wing Staff Agencies – Senior Master Sgt. Wade Steinback.