Air Force Aid Society

Other

October 26, 2016

Each issue in this section, the editorial staff of Military Embedded Systems will highlight a different charity that benefits military veterans and their families. We are honored to cover the technology that protects those who protect us every day. To back that up, our parent company ? OpenSystems Media ? will make a donation to every charity we showcase on this page.

This issue we are highlighting The Air Force Aid Society (AFAS), a 501(c)(3) organization that has as its mission helping “to relieve distress of Air Force members and their families and assisting them to finance their education.” AFAS was created in 1942, rooted in the original Army Air Corps and the World War II Army Air Forces; their commander, General Henry “Hap” Arnold, wanted a national organization that could provide emergency support to the wives and children of war victims and also assure the availability of educational assistance to those families.

The nonprofit aims to help recipients – according to the AFAS, 89 percent of the emergency assistance dollars go to active-duty enlisted personnel and their families – with short-term, interest-free loans and grants or money for one-time emergencies such as food, rent, and utilities. The Society also serves the Air Force community with programs such as “Give Parents a Break,” which enables base officials to offer periodic child care at specified evening and weekend times. This assistance is particularly helpful when a spouse is deployed or other personal emergencies occur. Recipients can also take advantage of programs such as Bundles for Babies, Car Care Because We Care, Child Care for PCS, the Phone Home program and Youth Employment Skills.

In 2015, the AFAS reported over 57,000 assists to Air Force personnel and their families, totaling nearly $16 million.

For more information, visit www.afas.org.