FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. -- Army Emergency Relief, a nonprofit organization founded by the Secretary of War and Army Chief of Staff George Marshall, has had the same mission since 1942 -- "Helping the Army take care of its own," which it has done by providing loans and grants to Soldiers, retirees and Family members during times of financial strain.
Because the privately-funded program relies heavily on contributions made by the Army Family throughout the year, installations launch AER campaigns to better inform the community. Fort Campbell launched its campaign Jan. 9 with an AER Campaign Kickoff at McAuliffe Hall.
"We want to get the word out to all of the Soldiers that the campaign is beginning and we want to ensure that every Soldier had the opportunity to contribute," said Betty Geren, Army Community Service Family Readiness Program manager.
According to Geren, the AER program began as a very small entity, established to provide Soldier assistance in emergency situations. Since the time of its inception, the program -- and the need for the program -- has grown significantly.
"This past year, the Fort Campbell community -- Soldiers, Family members and retirees -- they contributed [more than] $370,000," she said. "What the AER disbursed was $3,266,958. You can see how the need is there."
As in previous years, the current AER campaign goal for Fort Campbell sits at $250,000. All funds collected during the campaign will be part of an available pool that can assist Soldiers and Family members with financial emergencies such as vehicle repair, funeral costs, medical bills and grocery purchases.
To raise awareness, key speakers and presenters attended the kickoff, including Brig. Gen. Mark R. Stammer, acting senior commander of the 101st Airborne Division and Mrs. Jamie Baysore, who made a contribution in honor of her late husband, Staff Sgt. Thomas Baysore -- a touching example of the community taking care of its own.
"I am really proud of the program and I'm glad it's there," said Geren, "simply because if it wasn't, you would have more Soldiers pawning the titles to their cars or going to high-interest, predatory lending places. It's a good thing, and it's the Soldiers' money."
During the campaign, AER will have key personnel assigned to each unit at Fort Campbell to ensure that all Soldiers are given the opportunity to make a tax-deductible contribution to the program. Contributions can be made to the key person, online at www.aerhq.org or in person at Fort Campbell's Army Community Service Financial Readiness Center, located at 5662 Screaming Eagle Blvd.
Soldiers who are seeking assistance can contact the Financial Readiness Center by calling (270) 798-5518 to find out how to apply.
Assisting funds are distributed as loans or grants on a case-by-case basis. As of Jan. 2014, Soldiers ranked E-5 and above will not have to go through their commanders to request assistance on the AER Form 700.
"A lot of times before, they might have needed AER assistance but didn't want to go to their commanders," explained Geren. "They were concerned it might affect their careers."
With that stressor eliminated, Geren hopes that more Soldiers will be less hesitant to contact the program in emergency situations and keep predatory lenders from compounding dire situations.
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