AFAS brings peace of mind Published March 23, 2007 By Master Sgt. Mike Tyra Pope AFAF assistant project officer POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Nine times out of 10 when you think of the Air Force Assistance Fund, the first thing that comes to mind is the Air Force Aid Society and the quick loans they can provide for plane tickets home due to family emergencies. My wife Elaine and I have been fortunate enough to be spared from such emergencies, but that doesn't mean we haven't benefited from other aspects of this important program. AFAS has always been there for us, and AFAF donations are what keep it alive. As young Airmen and parents of two little boys, Give Parents a Break via the Child Development Center shined like a beacon in heavy fog during each of our 120-day deployments. It may not seem like much, but getting a four-hour break once a month for solo commissary trips or having the opportunity to sit in a quiet room were as good as hitting the lottery. Another program, Car Care Because We Care, was worth more in peace of mind than the money it saved on scheduled oil changes or vehicle inspection fees. I've heard how past troops and co-workers benefited from AFAS, but I was able to witness firsthand the effectiveness of the program this past summer as acting first sergeant for my unit. One Sunday afternoon I sat with a distraught young squadron member in the Airman and Family Readiness Center as arrangements were made to get her home to be with her ailing grandmother. I can't describe the feeling of relief I had when the check for her plane tickets was written, and I knew that she and her children were confirmed on a flight home the next day. With AFAS, the peace of mind that was provided to my family, as well as the family of the young Airman mentioned above, was priceless. All Air Force members, especially those who supervise, are encouraged to pass on to their troops all the ways that the AFAF has touched them. If you haven't already done so, please donate today.