The 44th annual Air Force Assistance Fund donation drive is scheduled to run from April 10 - May 19. There will be a kickoff event beginning at 10 a.m. on April 10 at the Recce Club.

All active-duty or retired Airmen, whether they are officers or enlisted, can receive assistance through contributions from the following four charities.

The Air Force Aid Society supports Airmen and their families with emergency monetary relief in times of need for anything from groceries and utility bills to scholastic grants for Airmen furthering their education.

The Lemay Foundation assists widows of officer and enlisted Air Force retirees via financial aid to enable them to retain a dignified standard of living.

The Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation is a San Antonio based charity that provides care for retired officers and their spouses. The Air Force Enlisted Village is a charity based in Florida near Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field which provides care and living space for surviving spouses of retired enlisted Air Force members.

“These are strictly funds for Air Force members,” said 9th Maintenance Squadron accessories flight commander 2nd Lt. Mark Creel. “It’s something we can directly contribute to our Airmen in our shop and at Beale, especially with our high deployment rates.”

The campaign is directed at active-duty and retired Air Force personnel, but everyone is free to contribute.

 “Every year we try to reach out to our local active-duty Air Force personnel to help other Airmen,” said Creel.

Funds from these charities have already impacted the lives of Airmen in the local area.

“I’ve had two of my Airmen get essentially free emergency travel home,” said Creel. “We’ve also helped six widows in the local area that are associated with the Air Force.”

According to Creel, the AFAF has contributed a large amount of funds to Beale in the form of Hap Arnold scholastic grants that allow them to further their education.

However, these charities are capable of helping Airmen only so long as they continue to receive the funds they need from Airmen contributions. Creel is optimistic Beale will reach this year’s base-wide donation goal of $60,682.

For more information on the AFAF and how to contribute, visit their official website at www.afassistancefund.org or each charity’s official website at www.afas.org www.lemay-foundation.org www.blueskiesoftexas.org www.afev.us.