FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- Fort Drum military and civilian leaders met on post Tuesday to launch the annual Army Emergency Relief campaign and another year of Soldiers taking care of their own.
This year's theme was "100% Contact" -- a mandate from top commanders on post that Soldiers of all ranks are made aware of not only the AER fundraising campaign but also of the assistance available throughout the year.
"What we need to do is ensure every Soldier is contacted," said Col. Gary A. Rosenberg, Fort Drum garrison commander. "I want to make sure I am clear on this -- contact. I need your help in getting 100-percent contact."
AER is a private nonprofit organization incorporated in 1942 to help Soldiers stay mission-focused by offering financial assistance to Army Families during a crisis. Retirees and survivors also are eligible to receive assistance.
Since 9/11, the organization has provided nearly $600 million to qualified recipients.
Last year at Fort Drum, more than 2,000 Families received more than $2.47 million in financial assistance.
The annual campaign, which runs from March 1 through May 15, raises funds and awareness for assistance that includes everything from scholarships for children and spouses to emergency funds for housing, food, appliances, travel, automotive repairs and other expenses.
"AER funds can be for a variety of circumstances," said Rosenberg. "Sometimes you can use them for things that aren't particularly intuitive."
The garrison commander pointed out a recent example at Fort Drum of a couple that used an AER grant for obtaining a service dog for their young autistic child.
"This is something that the Family couldn't afford on its own," he said. "As it turns out, it might have prevented that Family from having to institutionalize that child."
Officials said the biggest hurdle for Soldiers who need help is asking for it.
"(It's important) that every Soldier needs to know that it is OK to ask for this help," Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond F. Chandler III said in a video recording for this year's AER campaign. "Sometimes, the unexpected happens, like an unplanned bill or a death in the Family. When that happens, AER is there.
"AER is Soldiers helping Soldiers," he added.
Diane R. Hupko, Fort Drum AER officer, said it is a satisfying feeling to know she is a part of helping Soldiers and Family Members get the assistance they need.
"A Soldier who is in complete crisis can come into our office and know that there is help," she said. "And they know that it is from the Soldiers who stand by their side every day when they go to work and when they go to war. They know there is something there to take care of themselves and their Families."
During the event, the 10th Mountain Division Band played the 1942 Irving Berlin song "This is the Army, Mr. Jones," which did help launch AER during World War II.
Rosenberg said this year's fund-raising goal at Fort Drum will be $250,000.
An official from AER headquarters near Washington, D.C., traveled to Fort Drum to help kick off the campaign here.
Retired Col. Guy Shields said making Soldiers and Family Members aware of AER assistance is paramount.
"We want to make sure that no Soldier or Family Member goes without (help) because they didn't know the assistance was available," he said. "We want AER to be a Soldier's first choice."
Shields also noted that a recent AER policy change means Soldiers in the rank of sergeant and above can bypass their chain of command and go directly to AER for assistance.
AER aid came into play during last year's civilian furloughs, Ros-enberg said, namely when retired service members with Fort Drum's civilian workforce were involved or in cases when furloughs severely impacted military couples.
Fort Drum Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Geddings struck a personal tone before the group Tuesday, stressing the importance of humility in today's Army.
"We're reluctant to reach out when we need help. We don't want to talk to our leaders. We don't want to get them involved in a personal issue of our own," he said. "But what we don't realize in that time of need is that we are not focusing on what's important, which is accomplishing our mission.
"I would ask you as leaders, let's get out and remove the stigma of 'I need help,'" Geddings continued. "It's OK to need help and ask for assistance. Because oftentimes, they won't ask for it until it's way too late in the game.
"I will tell you that when we as leaders allow our Soldiers to go and seek assistance, we are re-educating the force," he added. "It also prevents our young Soldiers from going out and seeking assistance from predatory lenders. We all know who they are -- the 45-percent-interest loans, the payday loans -- they need to go to AER first."
Shields said AER provided $74 million in assistance to Army communities last year, mostly in the form of no-interest loans, but took in only $10 million.
"Most nonprofits could not survive the way AER survives," Shields said. "But we are dealing with a population that (provides us) a payback rate greater than 95 percent. Banks and credit unions would kill for that kind of statistic.
"Soldiers are not looking for handouts," he added. "Soldiers are willing to pay back loans."
AER does accept unsolicited contributions, which are tax-deductible, from any person or group.
A training session for AER representatives from every Fort Drum unit and directorate followed the kick-off event.
The AER representative for the 10th Mountain Division (LI) is Lt. Col. Guillermo Santiago.
For more information about AER, contact Hupko on post at 772-6560.
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