FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- Every year, the Army Emergency Relief helps thousands of Soldiers, Retirees and Family Members with emergency financial assistance and awards scholarships to students. Last year alone, Fort Drum's AER gave $2.48 million to 2,061 Fort Drum Soldiers and Family Members, and uniquely, the funds have come from donations worldwide.
This year's focus will be on getting the word out using "engaged leadership," said Col. Thomas Macdonald, 10th Mountain Division (LI) chief of staff, during Fort Drum AER's official kickoff Thursday at the Commons.
"We don't expect everyone who hears about it to donate, but if they don't know, then they won't donate," Macdonald said. "The donations are the backbone of the program."
Fort Drum's goal this year is $200,000, with the campaign season ending May 15.
Retired Sgt. Maj. Bill Hagzan Jr., AER Headquarters emergency assistance administrator, who twice served at Fort Drum during his Army career, delivered the keynote address. As AER goes into its 73rd year, it has impressive numbers and dollar figures, but the largest impact is in their motto of "Soldiers helping Soldiers."
Although the function of AER is to raise money, Hagzan charged the attendees to go out and to increase AER awareness. As nearly half of service members in the rank of specialist and below used a nonbanking institution such as payday loan, title loans, pawn shops or advances on their tax returns, Hagzan asked the attendees how many of these young service members went to these institutions to help pay for rent, utilities or car repairs because they just weren't aware of AER's programs.
"We will not eliminate use of nonbanking institutions, and it is unrealistic to think that we will, but we can become the Soldier's first choice … and we become that first choice through awareness," Hagzan said.
As more and more people get their information from sources outside their chain of command, AER has made advancements through their website, social media pages and through smartphone apps. Yet, it has also made changes to their programs.
"The AER of tomorrow will not be the AER of today," he added. "We continue to research new categories and ways to streamline the application process."
As a former Soldier, Hagzan prides himself on giving money to those in need -- to be able to relieve the stress of an immediate financial emergency. Of all of their recipients, the one thing they have in common is that AER didn't find them -- they found AER.
"They found us because they were informed during one of our annual campaigns. They found us because someone who knew about AER pointed them in our direction," he said. "They found us because the command established a climate that it is OK to ask for help, that you shouldn't be embarrassed, that there are no repercussions … they found us because a leader knew about AER and encouraged the Soldier to come see us."
For more information, visit www.aerhq.org or ask your chain of command about the AER campaign.
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