An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Liberating benevolence

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kali L. Gradishar
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  A sense of relief has no monetary value. It can't be bought. It can't be sold. But it can be given. The Air Force Aid Society, the official charity of the U.S. Air Force has had more practice in giving than Santa Claus.

Located at all Air Force bases world wide, the AFAS has contributed significant amounts of aid to Airmen and their families in need since the charity's inception in 1942. What began as a non-profit organization has grown into an abundant resource for those who find themselves in a tight financial situation.

"Air Force Aid is a wonderful program that has been set up for Air Force members to take advantage of when they are in an emergency situation and have not saved up enough money to cover a sudden crisis," said Della Gooding, Airman and Family Readiness Center financial advisor.

The charity is divided into three entities -- emergency assistance, education programs and community programs. Each section has specific routes for Air Force personnel to follow when in a crunch.

Emergency assistance is available to active-duty and retired Air Force personnel and their dependents, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve personnel on extended duty more than 15 days away from their home station, and spouses and dependent children of deceased Air Force personnel who died on active duty or in retired status, according to the AFAS website.

"Emergency assistance is great because it offers interest-free loans and grants based on need. It's not just for active duty members; it's for widows, dependents, retirees and other branches also," said Ms. Gooding.

Assistance is available in areas such as basic living expenses, medical care, dental care, funeral expenses, respite care, vehicle repairs, pay and allotment problems, disasters, surviving dependents and other emergencies.

However, the AFAS is not a program to take advantage of. If it's money for credit card payments, bad checks, bail, vacations or other similar expenses, the AFAS is not the place to look for help. The charity also does not assist with non-essential items, nor does it assist with basic needs on a continuing basis.

The AFAS education program is yet another source for obtaining financial assistance. Student loans can bring you down, but the AFAS is there to provide education grants as well as spouse tuition assistance.

"The education program is a fantastic scholarship that has been established and can be utilized by dependents of Air Force members as a means of assisting with paying for an education," Ms. Gooding said. "It is a great benefit to take advantage of."

The General Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program provides $2,000 need-based grants to full-time undergraduates who are independent children of active duty personnel, and the General George S. Brown Spouse Tuition Assistance Program provides up to $1,500 in tuition costs annually to spouses who have accompanied active duty members to overseas assignments, including Alaska and Hawaii.

In 2006, the AFAS education programs provided about $6.8 million in education grants and approximately $1.2 million in spouse tuition assistance, according to the website.

The community programs are bountiful and beneficial. The AFAS has implemented programs such as Give Parents a Break, an offer for a few hours away from the stresses of parenting; Child Care for PCS, a relief program for parents in- and out-processing; and Car Care Because we Care, a program that keeps a deployed member's vehicle in good condition while away by providing preventative maintenance.

"Give Parents a Break, Child Care for PCS and Car Care Because We Care are the most popular programs used here," Ms. Gooding revealed, "though a lot of people don't know that Air Force Aid pays for these types of things."

Other programs include Zimmy's Guide to All Kids' Needs, Bundles for Babies, Phone Home, Respite Case, Spouse Orientation Program, Spouse Employment Program, Child Care for Volunteers and Youth Employment Skills.

"Fairchild assists people in need on a constant basis. So far this year, Air Force Aid has provided more than $50,000 in loans and almost $8,000 in grants," Ms. Gooding stated.

Therefore, those who yearn for help but do not know where to turn need only to look as far as the local Airman and Family Readiness center to find guidance and assistance to ease the most stressful of situations.