AFAF is family helping family

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Wesley Wright
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. (ACCNS) --  Family takes care of family regardless of circumstance or disposition. It's certainly not a new concept, but taken seriously in the Air Force family.

The Air Force Assistance Fund has been helping active duty Airmen, retirees, reservists, guard, dependents and surviving spouses for many years. The organization helps people with aid in emergency situations, educational assistance and much more.

Many people happily give to the organization, perhaps hoping to never need its assistance.

Ruth and Tech. Sgt. George Zorbaugh (retired) are one such couple who gave faithfully to the AFAF during the course of George's career. Tragedy struck the Zorbaugh family in 1999, while stationed at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. The Zorbaugh's terminally ill five-year-old daughter, Miranda, passed away due to complications with pneumonia. That's when they turned to the AFAF.

Miranda Patricia Ilene Zorbaugh was born Feb. 23, 1994 in Alaska. Soon after her birth, it became clear Miranda had extensive medical problems. In all, she was diagnosed with 32 different conditions.

"She had been ill her entire life," said Mrs. Zorbaugh. "We knew this was coming, but it's still something you're never quite prepared for."

Soon after her daughter's passing, Mrs. Zorbaugh was faced with the challenge of finding a way for her parents, who live in England, to attend the funeral.

"George's parents lived in Michigan, so their travel arrangements weren't that big of a deal," Mrs. Zorbaugh said. "When we looked into airfare for my parents, it was going to be close to $2,000. We didn't have that kind of money, and this was a time when I needed my parents more than ever."

The Zorbaughs began exploring their options and remembered the AFAF's commitment to helping Air Force family members during difficult times.

"AFAF rules prohibited them from giving us airfare money for parents of somebody other than the sponsor," Mrs. Zorbaugh said. "However, true to their commitment, they found a way to help. They ended up giving us a loan 'for the family to use as needed during their time of grief,' which enabled us to take care of our needs."

The AFAF not only assisted with the airfares, they also paid for the funeral expenses.

"They have a specific amount that they will give the funeral home," said Mr. Zorbaugh. "In our case, I believe it was $2,500. As you know funerals are not cheap, but the funeral home that we worked with was caring enough that they took the money that AFAF gave them and didn't ask us to make up the difference."

The Zorbaughs said having the funeral arrangements paid for was great relief for their family, especially since the turn-around after requesting assistance was about 24 hours. 

"It was very quick," she said. "They didn't waste any time. We needed their help immediately, and they gave it. The timing couldn't have been better."

She added that it would have been an even more trying time if her parents had not been able to make it to her daughter's funeral.

"Even as an adult, there are times where you need your parents," Mrs. Zorbaugh said. "Being able to have them here was a shoulder I needed to lean on at the time. The AFAF's support showed the strength of the Air Force family."

The AFAF recognizes the agony families go through during tragedy and strives its best to be as sensitive to members needs as they can.

"The AFAF allowed us the time to mourn, be with our other children, be with our family and grieve the loss of a child," Mr. Zorbaugh said. "They looked after our family so we could be a family when we needed it the most. Paying back the money could never pay back the gratitude."

Mrs. Zorbaugh had a message for anyone thinking of supporting the AFAF.

"I can't say enough about them," she said. "They care about our Air Force family. Hopefully you will never need their help, but give anyway. You will help people in ways you never imagined you could."

Commitment to members, helping those in need and providing comfort to those in grief -- the Air Force takes care of its family.

This year's AFAF drive at Minot AFB runs until May 3. For more information on the AFAF, visit http://www.afassistancefund.org, contact your unit representative or call 723-3293.