On March 8, members of the 75th Force Support Squadron and the 75th Security Forces Squadron went head to head on the basketball court in the 2010 Air Force Assistance Fund (AFAF) Kick-off Campaign.
The campaign started off with eight basketball teams that morning, said 2nd Lt. Nathan Greiner, a member of the 507th Combat Sustainment Squadron and co-leader, along with 2nd Lt. Peter Densmore of the 75th FSS, of the 2010 AFAF Kick-off Campaign.
Through a series of bracketed games, the teams were narrowed down to two, which played in the championship game on Monday at 2 p.m. in the Warrior Health and Fitness Center.
After the Melodius Medics, all of the 75th Medical Group, sang the national anthem and members of the Northridge High School JROTC acted as Honor Guard, the buzzer sounded and the game began.
Both teams kept the score close as the ball made its way up and down the court. As the countdown to half-time neared, Airman 1st Class George Covington of the 75th FSS decided to make a gamble on a shot spanning the entire length of the court. The audience held their breath, then roared with excitement as the ball swooshed through the net. It was clear that both teams were playing for keeps.
Though it was a close game and both teams played hard, the 75th FSS won with a score of 56 to 41.
The AFAF has hosted a basketball tournament for two years now as part of their yearly campaign to raise money for Airmen and military families in need.
"It's a good event," Greiner said. "It gets people excited for the AFAF."
The AFAF provides aid to all Airmen, including active duty, retirees, reservists, and members of the guard, as well as their dependents and surviving spouses, for emergencies, educational needs, or even a retirement home.
The assistance is provided through the organizations that make up the AFAF, including: The Air Force Village Foundation, the Air Force Aid Society, the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation, and the Air Force Enlisted Village.
Last year the AFAF raised $85,592, and through emergency assistance loans and grants gave almost $250,000 to Team Hill. This year the fund hopes to raise $77,465.
The AFAF accepts donations via check, cash or money order. A payroll deduction plan is also available, Densmore said.
"The AFAF campaign is one of the few, if not in many ways the exclusive means by which these charities find the money to help our Airmen in need," Densmore reported. "We owe it to them and our fellow Airmen to give, and give generously this year."
For more information about the AFAF or to make a donation, please contact your squadron's AFAF representative. More information on each organization can also be found online at http://www.afassistancefund.org.
For more information on the Air Force Aid Society, please contact Sarah Hanych, the local AFAS representative, at (801) 777-4681.
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