Taking care of own Published March 19, 2007 By Capt. Maryanna Wienbroeer Pope AFAF project officer POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- "The Air Force takes care of its own." How many times have people heard that phrase? Recruiters, retirees, commanders, just about anyone associated with the Air Force has used that phrase at one time or another. We've all heard it so often, because it's true. Right now Pope has a great opportunity to prove this truth once again. Feb. 28 was the kickoff event for this year's Air Force Assistance Fund Campaign. About 50 Pope personnel, including various group and squadron commanders, first sergeants and this year's AFAF unit project officers all gathered at the Pope Club to celebrate the beginning of this year's fundraising drive. The Air Force Assistance Fund Campaign is one of two yearly Air Force-sponsored fundraising drives. Money donated can be earmarked for one of four Air Force-specific charities: the Air Force Aid Society, Air Force Villages, Air Force Enlisted Villages, or the General and Mrs. Curtis E. Lemay Foundation. The great thing about each of these charities is that the money given comes directly back into supporting the greater Air Force Family. The two villages foundations and the Lemay Foundation each help elderly retired Air Force members and/or their spouses by providing such services as assisted living, health care, research and living expenses assistance. The AFAS in turn, is run out coordinated through the Airman and Family Readiness Center and has many programs dedicated to helping Pope personnel. At the kickoff breakfast, Dawn Doan, Pope's Air Force Aid Society expert, detailed some of these programs and showed how AFAS funds directly benefit all at Pope. Programs such as Car Care Because We Care, Bundles for Babies and the Emergency Assistance Funds would not exist without money raised by the AFAF Campaign. Last year Pope received about $100,000 more in assistance than we donated to the fund. Pope's 43rd Airlift Wing Vice Commander, Col. John McDonald, wrapped up the event by sharing his vision for this year's campaign. He emphasized the huge return we get from the small amount we give individually to this campaign and then thanked each of the unit project officers for volunteering to be the basis of the campaign. "This campaign will be only as successful as each of you makes it," Colonel McDonald said to each of the project officers. Be alert over the next six weeks to the individuals in each squadron and unit on base who are going around talking about the AFAF. Look for additional fundraising events to be put on and take advantage of the opportunity to give back to the Air Force community as a whole. The Air Force does take care of its own; now let's show the rest of the world how dedicated to each other we are at Pope.