Little white forms help Airmen give back Published Feb. 25, 2009 By 1st Lt. Lauren Wright 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- There will be thousands of little white forms roaming around Ellsworth during the Air Force Assistance Fund campaign, which kicked off with a breakfast Feb. 24. During the breakfast and throughout the campaign, servicemembers are asked to donate money to help fellow Airmen. "If Airmen ever wanted to help out their peers this is a great way to do it," said Capt. Heath Woockman, 28th Medical Operations Squadron public health officer and AFAF project officer. "Some of the money is given out as grants and no interest loans." Last year Ellsworth raised $36,000, with approximately 95 cents of each dollar going directly to programs targeting all Air Force personnel. Airmen here received more than $180,000 in assistance in 2008. Captain Woockman said funds are also used for a variety of programs and occasionally help purchase tickets for Airmen to travel home during emergency situations. The Air Force Assistance Fund was established to provide for an annual fundraising effort to support the Air Force active duty, retirees, reservists and guard members, along with dependents, (including surviving spouses) in need, Says the AFAF Web site, www.afassistancefund.org. Airmen here will decide whether or not to donate to one of four funds: Air Force Village Foundation, the Air Force Aid Society, the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation, and the Air Force Enlisted Village. Funds identified for the Air Force Village will help a non-profit military officer's retirement community in San Antonio. Enlisted spouses are supported similarly through the Air Force Enlisted Village, which seeks to provide a safe place for surviving spouses of retired Air Force personnel whereas The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation assists widows of Air Force retirees, officer and enlisted, through financial grants. The Air Force Aid Society, on the other hand, is the official charity of the United States Air Force, said the AFAS Web site, www.afas.org. The organization provided $24.3 million in direct assistance to Air Force members and families in 2008. Wing leadership here encourages members to consider choosing to provide either a flat donate on or monthly donations, which can be directly withdrawn from pay. "Our Ellsworth community consistently supports one another through charitable giving of time, money and resources," said Col. Pete Castor, 28th Bomb Wing vice commander. "I applaud everyone for their involvement and generosity, and encourage members to consider contributing to one of these Air Force Assistant Fund organizations." Airmen interested in making a donation should complete the Air Force Assistance Fund form and return it to their group or flight point of contact by March 30. More information about the organizations listed on the AFAF form can be found at www.afassistancefund.org.