AFAF campaign exceeds goal Published May 31, 2011 By Monica Mendoza 21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- When the final numbers were tallied, the Air Force Assistance Fund campaign representatives smiled and said the face-to-face contact with every Airman on base paid off: The wing exceeded its goal and raised $95,409. That's $9,648 more than last year and is 104 percent of the goal. "The success of the campaign is attributed to the hard work of the unit project officers as well as the campaign itself," said Master Sgt. Daniel Stellabotte, one of the installation project officers. "Many Air Force members have used the Air Force Assistance Fund in the past and now are giving back." The Air Force Assistance Fund campaign drive on Peterson Air Force Base kicked off in March and continued into May. The AFAF campaign is an annual, on-the-job fundraising appeal conducted among Air Force personnel. It was established as an annual effort to raise funds for the charitable affiliates that provide support to the Air Force family including active duty, retirees, Reservists, Guard members, family members and surviving spouses in need. These organizations are the Air Force Village Foundation, the Air Force Aid Society, the Air Force Enlisted Village and the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation. More than 50 unit representatives on Peterson AFB made it their goal to make contact with every Airman stationed on Peterson, said Senior Master Sgt. John Bentivegna, one of the installation project officers. "The commitment of the unit project officers was key to the success of the campaign," he said. "They worked to have face-to-face contact will all their members to ensure they understood the goal and benefits of the AFAF." The AFAF campaign has raised $6.98 million, which is $626,264 above the Air Force goal, Sergeant Bentivegna said. "Considering the current financial environment the nation is experiencing, the fact that we were able to raise over $95,000 -- the most across Air Force Space Command -- and exceed our goal at 104 percent speaks volumes about Team Peterson's commitment to caring," Sergeant Bentivegna said.