43rd OG makes AFAF donating fun

Published May 1, 2008
By 2nd Lt. Chris Hoyler
43rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Every year, the Air Force Assistance Fund and Combined Federal Campaign asks Airmen throughout the Air Force to donate their money and provide their time for worthy causes.

Pope does a great job of using these charity drives as a chance to have fun, with events like last week's 24-hour endurance run and last month's 43rd Security Forces Squadron Jail and Bail event, both of which raised large amounts of money for the AFAF.

The 43rd Operations Group took steps this year to make their internal AFAF campaign entertaining, pitting their squadrons against one another in a "penny war," in which all proceeds go to the Air Force Aid Society, one of the charities that benefits from the AFAF.

The 2nd Airlift Squadron, 43rd Operations Support Squadron and 43rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron each had representatives keep a jar somewhere in the squadron for members to put their loose change or bills. As with all contests, there is an incentive for the winning squadron commander, but Capt. Vanessa Moses, 43rd AES, said that the 43rd OG leadership welcomed a new idea to make sure all parties were rewarded.

"Since we didn't want to leave anyone out, there are 'prizes' for the bottom two," Captain Moses said. "The second place commander will receive a pink t-shirt that states, 'I am the Commander of a cheap Squadron.' The commander of the squadron with the least amount raised will also receive a lovely pink t-shirt, except it states 'I'm the Commander of the cheapest Squadron."

None of the squadrons turned out to be very cheap, though. The original goal of $100 per squadron for a total of $300 for the group was surpassed by the second week of the competition.

The 43rd AES was able to surpass that entire group goal during the culmination of a chili cookoff/moustache competition April 23. Both events brought more than $350 to the donation pot.

As of April 23, 43rd OG had raised more than $800 through the penny war, and Captain Moses said she expects more than a $1,000 to be raised by the time final totals are tallied.

"Thanks to all the squadron representatives who kept everything moving forward, it was that much easier for the group representatives to do what we needed to do," Captain Moses said. "My counterpart, Master Sgt. James Rice, was absolutely amazing to work with and ensured that the penny war brought maximum participation from our group."