KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany -- U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz officially kicked off the 2014 Army Emergency Relief fundraising campaign during a luncheon at the Landstuhl Community Club on Wilson Barracks March 4.
AER is a private nonprofit organization first incorporated in 1942 in order to provide emergency financial assistance to Soldiers and their families through the contributions of others.
The keynote speaker of the event, Maj. Gen. John R. O'Connor, the commanding general of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, expressed his gratitude towards the AER coordinators and their efforts in putting together the campaign.
"There is no better way to show we are Army Strong than by Soldiers helping Soldiers," said O'Connor. "AER is the cornerstone to helping our Soldiers and their Families with financial assistance during the toughest of times."
"It's Soldiers helping Soldiers - being a battle buddy off of the battle field - and it works through the act of giving first," added O'Connor. "This spirit of giving and kindness is at the heart of all of us who call the Kaiserslautern Military Community home."
This year, organizers of the USAG Rheinland-Pfalz AER campaign hope to surpass their goal of $120,000 after greatly exceeding last year's goal by more than $20,000.
"Last year, our AER campaign goal was $100,000, and we ended up raising over $123,000, an increase of over 73 percent from the previous year," said Col. Bryan D. DeCoster, the commander of USAG Rheinland-Pfalz. "I believe we can exceed this (year's) goal and educate our community members in the process."
To date, AER funds have assisted more than 3.2 million Soldiers and their Family members with more than one billion dollars in aid.
"Last year, AER helped 444 Soldiers in our community with over half a million dollars in assistance to include $500 comfort grants for each qualifying wounded warrior at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center," said DeCoster. "These warriors arrived with only the clothes on their back, and this helped them get items to make their recovery more comfortable."
To put it into perspective with how easy reaching the goal can be, O'Connor added, "To reach this year's goal, the 44,000 Americans living in the KMC area would need to contribute just $2.72. That equals a mere three cents a day for 75 days for a member of KMC to contribute to AER."
AER receives all of its contributions through Soldiers, civilians and family members. This year's campaign slogan, "Army Emergency Relief, a Soldier's first choice - Soldiers helping Soldiers and their families yesterday, today and tomorrow," reflects the commitment of the Army when it comes to taking care of its own.
"Army Emergency Relief is there to catch all of us, including our retiree population, in that time of crisis and personal need," said Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth J. Kraus Jr., the command sergeant major of USAG Rheinland-Pfalz.
"For those who donate every year and never find a need to use it, I thank you for your continued dedication and contributions to other Soldiers," DeCoster told the crowd. "For those who do need it, please use it. Use it in the emergencies when you need to. And then when you're capable of donating as well, donate in a manner that you can afford to help other Soldiers who will be in your spot in the future."
The Army-wide AER fund campaign runs March 1 to May 15. Those interested in contributing may do so by contacting their local AER representative or by sending contributions to the AER national headquarters. Additionally, unsolicited donations are accepted at any time by mail or online at www.aerhq.org.
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