POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- If you have been in the Air Force even one day, you have probably heard of the Air Force Assistance Fund. If you have been part of Team Pope for more than a day, you have definitely heard "I AM," or Individual Actions Matter. I am going to tell you how the AFAF and "I AM" go hand in hand. 

Throughout my career I have been told many stories about the AFAF, and how they have rescued Airmen from dire situations. Usually the story begins with a family tragedy and ends with the Air Force Aid Society (funded partially by the AFAF) giving the member a loan or grant to get them through the financial tide that accompanies such tragedy. I am going to approach the AFAF discussion from my perspective - as a giver. 

Twenty years ago, I was a young "Slick sleeve" in Basic Military Training. I was sitting through one of many classroom lectures. It was apparently the beginning of the AFAF campaign for the year, so the Military Training Instructor handed out the donation form while someone told us about the AFAF. 

I was amazed that such an organization existed. I didn't realize the Military had organizations that are funded by us, for us. As the individual spoke about some of the good deeds that had been made possible by this fund, I was intrigued. 

By the end of the short briefing I had completed the form and passed it forward. As the forms were collected, the T.I. called me aside. He asked me if I knew the donation was a monthly donation taken directly from my pay, and that I had selected $20 per month as my donation. 

I was surprised by the question. I told him that I fully understood the form. He said, "That is a lot of money for an Airman." I responded (as respectfully as possible), "Sir, that is less than a dollar a day. It is about the cost of a soda." (Remember, this was 20 years ago). 

Each year, as the AFAF campaign began, I submitted the donation form with the exact same information. It was less than a dollar each day, and it came straight from my pay so I never missed a dime. 

Four years into my career, I was a staff sergeant with a wife and an infant son. One of my best friends, Joe, was a senior airman with a wife and two small children. They, like us, relied on one car to get around. It was their sole means of transportation since there was no public transportation in our town. 

One morning his car died. Joe didn't know what to do, but he knew he couldn't survive bumming rides from everyone. I told him to go to the First Sergeant and ask for a referral to the Air Force Aid Society. I had given to the AFAF for several years and knew they could help. They handled everything confidentially, so Joe was not embarrassed to seek their assistance. AFAS gave him the $700 he needed to repair his car. It was a simple solution to a monumental problem. 

I know the money I gave to the AFAF wasn't the money Joe got to repair his car, but I knew that my Individual Action Mattered! I knew the money he received was donated by someone just like me. 

I have consistently donated my $20 per month and will continue to do so each year. I know that what I am giving is a small donation, but it made a big difference for Joe.
The AFAF is comprised of several worthy causes, but none of them survive without our support. This is a unique opportunity for us to help our own. You do so much to help others throughout the world. 

Do something simple. Donate a dollar each day for your Wingman. Know that, when it comes to the Air Force Assistance Fund, your Individual Actions Matter.