Our Mission

We believe that if we, as a society, are willing to send our young men and women off to war, then we should do everything in our power to assist them when they come home.

We are a family, as well as individuals, with various interests and occupations: law enforcement, lawyers, homemakers, teacher’s aids, and retirees, who are united by a single goal: to raise money and awareness for veterans past, present, and future who may be in crisis and in need of assistance.

Fundraising

Through our fundraising efforts such as our Saint Patrick’s Day Gala and the annual Army Navy Football Luncheon, we have raised and donated substantial amounts of financial assistance for our veterans and current members of our military serving our Nation. Through grants to military assistance organizations we have been able to help provide services ranging from financial grants and scholarships to psychological treatment for families of deployed troops and lodging for families visiting their wounded and injured loved one while undergoing treatment. Our foundation is deeply committed to issues and problems pertaining to veterans here in Massachusetts and throughout the United States.

Purchase The Sirens Call and
Second Chances

Tom and Joan Kelley are two proud Bostonians whose love for their country is as powerful as their love for each other. They have written with honesty, humility, and humor about growing up in Boston, sharing their teen pranks, moments of self-doubt, challenges, and hurdles. Although they didn’t meet until later in life, they traveled on parallel paths and their characters were cast in the same crucible of Navy service.

Tom nearly dies while saving his men in war, resulting in the loss of his eye. Although he’s awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroic actions, he has to fight to stay in the navy. Joan overcomes childhood insecurities to reach her own navy career goals, and as a wife and mother. Later these two meet and, in a unique twist of fate, become soulmates. This book differs from the ordinary military memoir in that it gives a woman’s perspective on service, while sharing the journey these two make over their lives, traveling on separate but parallel paths in their quests for meaning outside themselves. The overarching theme guiding them toward their destiny is perseverance. Separately, then together, they learn how to overcome obstacles and move on from adversity while taking the high road. A unique aspect of this book is that while the authors give both points of view, the story is unified by common experiences of two similar individuals who become a strong team due to their bonds of service and faith. Told with humility, humor and honesty, the authors inspire readers to hold onto their hopes and dreams even in the darkest hours.

Tom and Joan have generously chosen the Ahern Family Charitable Foundation to receive the net proceeds from their book so that they may continue to assist military families.

Your Support Makes a World of Difference

Please join our fight for those who fought for us. A donation of any amount is greatly appreciated! The AFCF is a registered 501(c)(3) charity, IRS Tax ID #06-1661229. There are no administrative costs associated with the Foundation.

For checks and money orders, send your tax deductible donation to:
AFCF, PO Box 80221, Stoneham, MA 02180

"Above all, we must realize that no arsenal or no weapon in the arsenals of the world is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women."

-President Ronald Reagan
Inaugural Address
Washington DC
January 20, 1981

“A man who is good enough to shed his blood for his country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards. More than that no man is entitled, and less than that no man shall have.”

-Theodore Roosevelt
Speech to Veterans
Springfield, IL
July 4, 1903