Scott Air Force Base, Ill. -- Scott Air Force Base Airmen will have the opportunity to contribute to charities that directly affect them Monday when the 2008 Air Force Assistance Fund campaign starts. 

The campaign allows Airmen to support the Air Force Aid Society, Air Force Village Foundation, Gen. and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation and Air Force Enlisted Village. 

"This is one of the two big fund drives in which the Air Force is involved annually," said Chaplain (Capt.) Dale Marlowe, 375th Airlift Wing chaplain and AFAF project officer. "Unlike the Combined Federal Campaign, though, these charities are all created by Airmen, for Airmen." 

Considered by many to be one of the biggest supporters of Airmen; especially younger Airmen, is the AFAS. 

"As the official charity of the U.S. Air Force, the Air Force Aid Society has really established itself as one of the premiere helping hands out there for Airmen of all ranks," said Master Sgt. Leonard Arsenault, 375th Security Forces Squadron special project manager and AFAF project officer. "They provide grants and interest-free loans on a case-by-case basis to help when Airmen find themselves facing challenges they can't handle on their own." 

The charity's helping hand goes beyond daily expenses. They offer services ranging from respite - a program designed to assist Airmen family members who require 24-hour care - to helping Airmen recover from disasters. 

"It's really here to help Airmen maintain a solid home life so the mission can be accomplished," said Sergeant Arsenault. 

The Air Force Village Foundation, with recent changes that made the villages available to servicemembers from all branches who retired with honorable service, are available at the age of 62 and are residential communities that offer an active, independent lifestyle in a pleasant environment with care available for the rest of their lives. Both villages are accredited by the Continuing Care Accreditation Commission, according to the Web site. 

The villages also offer the Freedom House; a specially designed facility dedicated to research and caring for persons with Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias.
The Gen. and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation provides financial assistance to indigent widows who reside in Air Force Village West. 

"These women served with their husbands in the Air Force, all the way through to retirement and deserve to live out their lives in comfort and dignity," according to the Web site. 

The Air Force Enlisted Village was established in 1967 to provide a safe and secure living environment to indigent spouses of retired Air Force Airmen. Spouses are accepted on greatest-need basis, and no one is denied due to financial status. 

"All of these charities were created to offer us as Airmen an avenue to take care of our Airmen today and our families tomorrow," said Chaplain Marlowe. 

The fund drive will run until April 27.