COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The 14th Flying Training Wing kicked off the annual Air Force Assistance Fund March 18 and will continue through April 26.
The wing’s goal for this year’s campaign is to reach $30,740. The AFAF is the official nonprofit, charitable organization of the Air Force. The organization provides support to Airmen and their families – active duty and retired, officers and enlisted.
When people give, they can choose if they want their donation to go to the Air Force Aid Society, Air Force Enlisted Village, Lemay Foundation or the Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation.
The Air Force Aid Society was established in 1942, and helps meet the needs of Airmen and their families by providing emergency financial assistance, educational support and community programs. Over the last decade, AFAS has provided nearly $165 million in direct support of Airmen and their families, which was made possible through generous contributions.
The Air Force Enlisted Village’s mission is to provide a home for surviving spouses of retired enlisted Airmen, but also provides support to the entire military family. AFEV is located in northwest Florida near Eglin AFB and Hurlburt Field and is available to spouses across the U.S.
The Lemay Foundation awards grants to enlisted and officer retirees’ surviving spouses in support of their families during their retirement years. Monthly grants and one-time grants are also available to help with unexpected bills such as dental work, medical and prescription needs, rent or mortgage delinquencies and minor home repairs.
The Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation was founded to encourage support for the Air Force Village, which aims to improve lives by providing quality retirement living conditions as well as support for widows in need of financial assistance.
“It’s a campaign that’s by Airmen, for Airmen,” said Senior Master Sgt. Wade Steinback, 14th Flying Training Wing superintendent. “It’s one of the few charities that you can give to that you know has a local impact.”
The target audience for donations is Air Force personnel, including guardsmen, reservists and retirees. Unsolicited donations may also be accepted from others, including (non-retiree) civilian employees, sister service military personnel and retirees.
Contributions to the campaign are deductible for Federal Income Tax purposes as an itemized deduction.
“You can give $2 or you can give $100,” said Capt. Nancy Lacy, the AFAF Installation Project Officer for Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi. “It is all about what the individual feels like they want to give and tailor it to the specific charity they want to donate to.”
Donors making check or money order contributions of $250 or more directly to Headquarters Air Force Personnel Center (via postal mail) will receive a signed receipt (letter) for tax purposes.
Contributors may obtain a receipt for payroll deduction or cash contributions made to an authorized AFAF campaign keyworker by asking for the receipt portion of the contributions form (AF Form 2561).
Key workers in each unit will accept donations during the campaign via payroll deductions, or through cash, check or money order.
For questions, call 662-434-3319 or contact your unit keyworkers:
14th Mission Support Group: Kenny Hutchinson*
- 14th Civil Engineer Squadron: 2nd Lt. Nicollette Hallmark
- 14th Contracting Squadron: 2nd Lt. Caelan Campbell
- 14th Communication Squadron: Senior Airman Melissa Vossler
- 14th Force Support Squadron: Staff Sgt. Kaneitha Bailem & Airman 1st Class Anthony Connors
- 14th Logistics Readiness Squadron: Michael Spring
- 14th Security Forces Squadron: Tech. Sgt. Christopher Keylich
14th Operations Group:
- 37th Flying Training Squadron: 1st Lt. Taylor Brown
- 41st FTS: 1st Lt. Gared Chapman
- 48th FTS: 1st Lt. Rachel Jovene
- 49th Fighter Training Squadron: Capt. Cole Stegeman
- 50th FTS: Capt. Ryan May* and 1st Lt. Taylor Skrobot
- 14th Operations Support Squadron: Staff Sgt. Hayden Harrison
- 14th Student Squadron: Capt. Mark Price
Wing Staff Agencies:
- Airman 1st Class Kaden Nichols*
- Airman Hannah Bean*
14th Medical Group: Tech. Sgt. Antone Schiefelbein*
- 14th Medical Support Squadron – Airman 1st Class James Goode
- 14th MDOS – Airman 1st Class Xavier Payton & Airman 1st Class Bilqees Abdul
*Unit Project Officers