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| REMEMBER OUR AIR FORCE WIDOWS |
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REMEMBER OUR AIR FORCE WIDOWS! One Air Force Widow At A Time.The Air Force Enlisted Village! By Jodi L. Jordan When airmen marry, their spouses become part of the Air Force, too. They may not wear the uniform, but spouses wait through the deployments, make the change-of-station moves and experience all the other trials of military family life. The AFEV provides continuous, dedicated service to widows of enlisted Air Force veterans. Low pay and frequent moves leave many military widows without careers, home equities, outside retirement plans or other significant assets. Often, they’re left without survivor benefits and don’t qualify for Social Security benefits.
Former Chief Master Sergeant. of the Air Force Jim Binnicker is the president and chief executive officer for the AFEV. “When a new resident moves in, I tell her ‘Welcome home.’ The residents all have the common bond of being part of the Air Force family. We have the ‘Mom’ rule here. We treat our residents like we would want someone to treat our own mothers.” Jean Stephens, who has lived at Bob Hope Village for two years, said that common bond is what makes the AFEV so special.“We all traveled with our husbands, and we all lost our husbands, and we all raised our children,” Mrs. Stephens said. “I’ve made so many friends. It’s just made me so happy to be here.” Sylvia DeArza, another Bob Hope Village resident, agreed. “We’re like sisters, almost.”
We receive a variety of private and public donations.There are a many ways to donate to the AFEV, by becoming a sponsor and sponsoring a village or parts of it, or by becoming a donor, including becoming a Sustaining Donor, either through an active duty or retiree allotment; bank draft withdrawal or credit card billing. Individuals and groups can also dedicate an area within the Village. This is a wonderful way to provide a lasting memory of a loved one, or show support of a business, organization or corporation. An example of this would be modifying an apartment bathroom for handicapped individuals at a cost of $5,000. The modification involves removing the bathtub and replacing it with a stand-alone shower. Personalized engraved brick pavers – which can be purchased for $1,000, $500 or $100 – are placed in the beautiful Garden of Hope and can be used to pay tribute to loved ones who served our country; honor family and friends; recognize a group, club or organization; commemorate a special event or occasion, or In Memory of or In Honor of an individual One of the most familiar and easiest ways our patrons and charitable-gifters give is by making outright donations through gifts of cash/check; credit card, land/property, stocks/securities or automobiles/boats. Contributions can also be accomplished through a bequest or will, by designating a fixed dollar amount, percentage of an estate, or an entire estate to the AFEV upon an individual’s death. Supporting the Air Force Enlisted Village by contributions or volunteering is a great way to make sure these spouses always have a home, no matter what their financial circumstance may be. For more information on donating to the Village, please visit our website at http://www.afenlistedwidows.org/
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For more than 30 years, this non-profit, one-of-a-kind organization has allowed indigent widows to live among their peers, sharing memories of Air Force life without the stigma normally associated with subsidized housing facilities. Dire need widows have priority and none are refused assistance due to financial status. The AFEV encompasses two independent living villages, Bob Hope Village and Teresa Village; and a new assisted living residence, Hawthorn House. All three are located in Shalimar, Fla., near Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field.
Since Teresa Village opened in 1975, and Bob Hope Village in 1985, more than 1,500 widows and surviving spouses ages 55 to 103 have had a safe haven to call home. Since Hawthorn House opened in 2005, widows can remain with their Air Force family when they can no longer live independently. According to Cathy Landroche, AFEV director of marketing and communications, “This quality of care is the direct result of tax-deductible donations.”
