Team Hurlburt embarks on AFAF's "Commitment to Caring" Published March 26, 2012 By Senior Airman Joe McFadden 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- The 39th annual Air Force Assistance Fund, themed "A Commitment to Caring," kicked off March 26 and will run for the following six weeks. The AFAF is an annual effort to raise funds for charitable affiliates that provide support to active-duty, Guard, Reserve and retired Airmen as well as their dependents and surviving spouses, according to the program's website. "The AFAF is vital to our Airmen because of its sole focus to aid our Air Force Community," said Col. Jim Slife, commander of the 1st Special Operations Wing. "It is the largest combined effort demonstrating our commitment to 'Airmen taking care of Airmen.'" The total goal for the Air Force is to raise nearly $6.5 million, with Hurlburt Field's contribution of more than $170,000. All donations will go toward four Air Force charities: the Air Force Enlisted Village, the Air Force Village Foundation, the Air Force Aid Society, and the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation. All funds donated to these organizations through the AFAF can be used for emergencies such as a death in a family or after a house burns down. They can also be used for educational or special needs assistance and securing a retirement home for surviving spouses of deceased Airmen. "People are our greatest strength," Slife said. "It is imperative we continue to reach out to those in need within our Air Force family." Airmen interested in contributing to this year's AFAF can contact their unit keyworker. For more information, visit www.afassistancefund.org.