AMFF Story
The story of the Air and Marine Family Foundation (AMFF) began on Thursday, November 17, 2022, with the tragic death of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Air and Marine Operations (AMO) Marine Interdiction Agent Michel O. Maceda. He lost his life alongside two additional agents who were seriously injured while performing a maritime interdiction mission off the coast of Puerto Rico. Following the shooting, family members of these agents made their way to the hospitals in Puerto Rico to be with their loved ones. The unplanned travel and lodging expenses were an added layer of stress and concern no family should be burdened with. While the government agency and agents' colleagues provided comfort and logistical support to all involved, the government was not legally able to provide much financial assistance. So, AMO personnel pitched in to help. Several additional efforts were made to find assistance for the agents' families. Various foundations were contacted, but none could help because their bylaws prohibited them from providing financial support to an Air and Marine Operations agent. Some corporate entities were also interested in donating to non-profit organizations to support victims' families; however, no established non-profit was dedicated to solely supporting AMO personnel.
In addition to these challenges, some nefarious entities created online fundraisers to collect funds for the affected families. Unfortunately, these entities were not affiliated nor associated with the families at all. It is not known how much was collected through these illegitimate efforts. What is known is that none of it went to the families.​ This is one of the primary factors which motivated to the founders to create the AMFF. All funds raised by this IRS determined, 501c3 are governed by our bylaws and must be in compliance with the associated statutes. This means the funds can only be used for the stated purpose of supporting the AMO Family.
In 2023, after many of these facts came to light and upon reflection by some of the AMO personnel involved in the support efforts, a group began discussing the idea of explicitly creating a non-profit organization ​to support the "Air and Marine Family”. This group contacted individuals who retired from AMO and planted the idea to create such an organization. One of those individuals took that idea and began evolving it into a reality. Discussion continued, and the mission, purpose, and vision began to take shape. The concept was socialized across a small group of Air and Marine Operations personnel and prospective corporate donors to determine if support would exist. The effort to create the foundation gained some traction, and the slow but steady process to establish the organization was underway. A name was created, a logo was designed and the artwork was copyrighted, consulting of potential stakeholders took place, the business entity was developed and IRS non-profit status was filed. While the final state and federal approvals were in process, this website was designed as a mechanism to begin the initial funding stream to support the AMO Family.
On September 1, 2024, the Air and Marine Family Foundation formally launched its focused and dedicated efforts to become a place where AMO Family members, Government, Current Contractors, and retirees can join together to care for one another. This CBP AMO-focused foundation is dedicated to a community-based approach to support the entire AMO Family. It recognizes we are all rooted in the same cause.
