Fort Belvoir, Va. (March 20, 2014) - Army Emergency Relief kicked off this year's campaign with an event at the USO Warrior and Family Center March 13.
The campaign officially began collecting donations March 1. Fort Belvoir's goal is to raise $160,000 in donations before the campaign ends May 15.
The AER program provides financial assistance to active-duty servicemembers, retirees, National Guard, Reservists and their Family members. The organization provides help in the form of an interest-free loan, a grant, or a combination of the two, based on need. Soldiers can fill out an application for AER assistance or work through their chain of command, under the AER Commander's Referral Program.
The referral program gives company commanders, battery commanders and first sergeants the opportunity to provide up to $1,500 in interest free loans.
"I need you to encourage your Soldiers to go to AER and to use AER," said retired Col. Andrew H. Cohen, AER headquarters deputy director of finance and treasurer, during the kickoff event. "It is there for them."
The AER application asks for the Soldier's name, unit information, where he or she lives (on or off post), and why the Soldier needs the assistance. Applications must be signed by unit commanders. Soldiers must provide documentation to show why they need assistance, unless they were referred under the Commander's Referral Program.
AER is a nonprofit organization, founded in 1942, that provides assistance for emergency travel, privately-owned vehicle repair, rent, utilities, and medical and dental expenses, among other expenses. Soldiers can receive up to $4,000 for basic furniture and replacement vehicle needs. There is no limit on how much money can be awarded for other eligible needs.
Army officers should not view a Soldier's trip to AER as a "black mark" on his or her record because the stigma could stop a Soldier from accepting assistance, according to Cohen. The AER program is a better alternative than high-interest loans, but it will not help anyone if people do not use the available funds, he said.
Fort Belvoir Garrison Commander Col. Gregory D. Gadson talked during the kickoff event about receiving AER assistance after he was wounded in 2007. Both of Gadson's legs were amputated above the knee due to injuries sustained when a roadside bomb detonated outside his vehicle in Iraq on May 7, 2007 when he was a member of the 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Regiment.
Gadson said that AER gave his wife a gift card for some new clothes after he was wounded. He said the organization now provides even better assistance than it did in the past.
After the kickoff event, volunteers sat at a table in the back of the room to hand out information about the AER program. They also collected donations.
Toni Cuttino, AER officer, said that about 50 people came out for the March 13 kickoff event.
"I'm happy with the turnout," she said. "It is not really about how many people showed up, but it is about the key workers who showed up and need to get the word out."
To donate to the AER Campaign, visit aerhq.org, or call Cuttino at (703) 805-3130.
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