The annual Army Emergency Relief Campaign began March 1 and continues through May 15. This year’s campaign slogan is: “Supporting Soldiers and their families, yesterday, today and tomorrow.”
The slogan is meant to create awareness about how Army Emergency Relief offers benefits to those in need, according to campaign officials.
And of course, the campaign also hopes to replenish its resources through donations. The campaign provides an opportunity for Soldiers to look out for each other, continuing the AER legacy of “helping the Army take care of its own.”
Last year, AER disbursed $76.8 million in assistance to more than 59,000 Soldiers
and their families. Some 38 percent of that assistance was obtained through the command referral program, which gives company commanders and first sergeants the authority to approve up to $1,500 in interest-free loans for their Soldiers.
There is no limit on the amount of assistance that can be provided or limit on the number of times a Soldier may request assistance. Loans and grants are all based on specific needs.
AER is a private, non-profit organization, founded in 1942 to provide financial assistance to active duty and retired Soldiers and their families. Since AER’s beginnings, some 3.5 million Soldiers and families have received more than $1.5 billion in support.
Soldiers requiring AER assistance should contact their command’s representative or first sergeant.
AER offices are located at major installations and commands across the U.S. and in Japan, Germany, Korea and eight other countries.
Soldiers and families without access to an Army installation can still receive assistance from organizations in the other services similar to AER: Air Force Aid Society, Navy Marine Corps Relief Society and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance.
Editor’s Note: To make a donation to Army Emergency Relief, see your unit representative or visit www.aerhq.org. To speak to the USAG Stuttgart AER Officer, call 431-2038/civ. 07031-15-2038, or stop by Army Community Service, Building 2915, Panzer Kaserne.
AER assistance includes:
• Emergencyfunds for rent, food, travel, car repair, funeral, medical and dental expenses
• Children and spouse scholarships
• Grants to Soldiers medically evacuated from Afghanistan
• Support to families of fallen Soldiers
• Repair of heating and air-conditioning systems
• Travel funds for permanent change of station when
advances are not forthcoming
• Repair or purchase of stoves or refrigerators
• Purchase of child car seats
• Purchase of cranial helmets when prescribed by medical
authority and not authorized by TRICARE