AFAF campaign: Airmen helping Airmen Published March 29, 2011 By Monica Mendoza 21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Years ago when Senior Master Sgt. John Bentivegna entered the Air Force, he had a family emergency and needed to fly home but he couldn't afford the plane ticket. He got a loan from the Air Force Aid Society, which receives funds from the Air Force Assistance Fund. Today, Sergeant Bentivegna, 76th Space Control Squadron superintendent, is heading up the Air Force Assistance Fund campaign on Peterson Air Force Base. He knows the contributions made to the fund help Airmen in so many ways. "They helped me out," he said. The Air Force Assistance Fund campaign drive on Peterson Air Force Base kicked off this week and runs through May 6. The AFAF campaign is an annual, on-the-job fundraising appeal conducted among Air Force personnel. The AFAF 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 will be making contact with every Airman stationed on Peterson, Sergeant Bentivegna said. The campaign representatives met for breakfast March 29 at The Club to officially kick off the campaign. "We will let them know that the AFAF is in swing now and this is for Air Force charities," he said. There are two ways to contribute to the AFAF--the payroll deduction plan allotments and cash. Under payroll deduction, Defense Finance and Accounting Service automatically deducts monthly contributions from military and retiree pay starting June 1. The goal for Peterson Air Force Base is to raise $91,616 and the Air Force goal is to raise $6.36 million. "From an enlisted point view, Airmen can be helped through these charities," Sergeant Bentivegna said. "If a car breaks down, an Airman can get a grant or a loan to help." For more information visit the Air Force Assistance Fund website at: http://www.afassistancefund.org/.