Grant strengthens family support at Moody AFB

23rd Wing:

"MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. — The Military and Family Readiness Center (M&FRC) at Moody Air Force Base received a $5,000 grant from the Air and Space Forces Association (AFA) to support Airmen and their families throughout the deployment cycle.

The grant was made possible by an anonymous $30,000 donation to the AFA’s United Forces and Families program, which distributed funding to six Air Combat Command bases. Laurie Orth, East Georgia AFA chapter president, helped facilitate the funding through her organization’s local nonprofit chapter, connecting national-level support with Moody’s military families.

The funding will help the M&FRC provide resources and facilitate events for families whose loved ones are deployed. Red Carpet of South Georgia has also contributed donations to support the center in planning events to help Airmen and their families. These contributions allow the center to use the grant throughout the coming year to support approximately six to 10 events, with an estimated reach of 1,200 people.

Master Sgt. Bryon Weston, 23d Force Support Squadron readiness noncommissioned officer in charge, helps Airmen navigate predeployment, post deployment and sustainment resources. He said the additional funding will allow the center to focus more on providing meaningful events for families instead of relying heavily on fundraising. The center plans to use the grant for several family-focused activities, including its Hearts Apart program, which gives families of deployed service members opportunities to connect with others experiencing similar challenges. The events also help families learn about available resources, including financial counseling and school-related support.

“By giving them those safe spaces where they're around other people affected by the same thing,” Weston said. “They're able to communicate with wing leadership all the way down to the squadron, letting them know that they're part of the mission and how we can better serve them,”

Orth helped coordinate the grant after AFA’s national organization contacted her to facilitate the funding for Moody. Because the money could not be sent directly to the base, her chapter served as the nonprofit intermediary, allowing the donation to reach the Military and Family Readiness Center. She was excited to help connect the funding with a program that directly benefits military families, highlighting the importance of community partnerships in helping families manage the challenges of having a loved one deployed.

“I cannot imagine what it would be like to have your significant other deployed for so long and be left with the house and the kids,” Orth said.

Beyond facilitating the grant, Orth and other AFA members have worked with local military and community organizations to support deployed Airmen. These efforts include coordinating cards and letters of encouragement from Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps and Civil Air Patrol cadets, helping connect communities with service members stationed far from home.

The grant also represents an opportunity to give back to the military community. Having previously relied on a M&FRC during his own deployment, Weston said he understands how these resources can help Airmen focus on their mission while knowing their families have support at home.

Master Sgt. Samuel Muonio, 23rd Munitions Squadron armament section chief, serves as a liaison for the AFA project. His primary responsibility has been managing communication and securing approved funding to ensure it reaches the base for intended use. Munio is not a formal member of Moody’s AFA chapter but expressed interest in increasing his involvement. Previously he felt unfulfilled in other organizations, but this project offers tangible purpose through direct community benefit.

“This is something that I can do to help give those families something to get out of their homes, relieve the stress, get out, interact, talk to other people going through the same stuff,” said Muonio.

The effort demonstrates how partnerships between military organizations and community supporters can help meet the needs of Airmen and their families. With the additional funding, the M&FRC can continue providing opportunities for families to build connections, access resources and remain engaged with the Moody community while their loved ones are fighting for our nation overseas."