Airman shares story, urges others to support AFAF Published March 25, 2013 By Jenny Gordon Robins Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The Air Force Assistance Fund campaign has special meaning for Staff Sgt. Derriel Morris, an operations controller in the 461st Support Squadron's Maintenance Operations Center. During his seven-year career in the Air Force, one of the fund's charitable affiliates, the Air Force Aid Society which is housed in the Airman & Family Readiness Center, assisted the Missouri native during times of uncertainty and stress. Last year due to personal circumstances following his return from deployment, he became severely in debt. "I had no way of really catching up on my bills, I lost the house I was in at the time, and I had to figure out a way to get back on top of all my finances," said Morris. Taking his first sergeant's advice, he spoke with a financial counselor, and applied for an AFAS loan. Within a matter of days after finishing paperwork, he received a check to immediately begin catching up on any outstanding debt. It wasn't the first time AFAF helped him out. The first time was right before his son was born. A $500 loan enabled him to put a down payment on a vehicle so he wouldn't have to continue walking to work. On another occasion, he was able to get a loan which helped him replace food and other items in his home which were destroyed during a burglary. Overall, Morris said he has received about $8,000 in assistance. Since then he's been a regular contributor to the campaign, which provides support for members of the Air Force family. It also supports charitable affiliates such as the Air Force Villages Charitable Foundation, the LeMay Foundation and Air Force Enlisted Village. At Robins- just through the AFAS, the official charity of the Air Force - a total of 116 forms of emergency loan assistance and four grants were provided in 2012. There was also support for various educational and community programs such as Bundles for Babies, Car Care, Give Parents A Break, childcare for permanent change of station moves, Youth Employment Skills and Heart Link spouse orientation. Throughout the Air Force, AFAS provided more than $17.8 million in direct assistance to more than 40,000 members and their families last year through emergency help, education and community programs. Now that the six-week campaign has approached its mid-point, Morris said he encourages his fellow Airmen to remember how important a role it could someday play in their lives or in the lives of someone they know. "The money doesn't just come out of nowhere," he said. "You never know when something may happen - when you may need help."