AFAF nears the end Published April 15, 2008 FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- The window to donate to the Air Force Assistance Fund will soon close. April 18 marks the end of the designated donation period for Team Fairchild. From Oct. 1 through March 31, a total of 5,612 cases were seen throughout the Air Force, amounting to $4,452,365 in loans and $375,590 in grants. Of those, 76 cases were local, bringing $64,380 in loans and $7,381 in grants to assist members of Team Fairchild, according to Della Gooding, Airman and Family Readiness Center community readiness and financial consultant, also the Air Force Aid Society officer for the base. Examples for which the grants were used include funeral expenses, medical expenses and rent, among other situations. Included in the AFAF are four funds: The Air Force Villages Indigent Widows' Fund, which provides widows of retired officers cost-effective living conditions; Air Force Aid Society, which is the official charity of the Air Force that aids in relieving the burden of active duty servicemembers' financial burdens; Gen. and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation, which provides care to the widows of Air Force officers; and the Air Force Enlisted Village Indigent Widows' Fund, which supports the housing of dependents of enlisted Airmen who died while on active duty. Donations may be made in the form of cash, check or payroll deductions. The base goal is to reach $42,813. Every contribution to the fund helps and may, in turn, go towards the assistance of acquaintances on base when circumstances are tough. To donate, contact your unit point of contact from the list below: - Operations Group: 1st Lt. Edward Weaver, 247-2454 - Medical Group: Capt. Jimmey Labit, 247-4364 - Mission Support Group: 1st Lt. Laura Hansen, 247-5901 - Director of Staff: Capt. Mary Hoffman, 247-2124 - 336th Training Group: Capt. John Feldt, 247-8978 - Maintenance Group: Master Sgt. Thomas Williams, 247-2099