FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas -- The Army Emergency Relief Campaign was kicked off at Army Community Service with a pep rally March 12.
AER is "the Army's own emergency financial assistance organization" offering interest-free loans, grants and tuition money for Soldiers and Family members at Fort Sam Houston.
During the kick off celebration, Col. Mary Garr, garrison commander, said, "In today's economy we are seeing people come for help who haven't needed it before. People are struggling. Our AER comes into place to help people receive the support. This is about helping our own."
"AER helps the Soldier accomplish the Warrior Creed. Because we are a unit, we are Family, we are Army," said Lt. Col. Kim Chaney, assistant G-1 for Army North.
Other Soldiers took the microphone and gave testimonials about why they support AER and encouraged others to support it as well.
Staff Sgt. Lashawn Williamson from Army North said, "AER is near and dear to my heart. About five months ago I was experiencing many things and with much soul searching I decided to ask for help. AER treated me with respect, dignity and heartfelt concern."
A volunteer for the ACS Financial Readiness and AER Program, the spouse of a deployed Army Soldier and mother, Erin Jacobs tearfully told her story.
"I didn't know about AER at first. But when I came to ACS for help and met the people there, I decided that day, no one within earshot of me would not hear about AER," she said.
Jacob's belief in the program was contagious as she cheered, applauded and urged the crowd of about 200 AER representatives to share her enthusiasm and excitement.
The highlight of the hour-long event was the ACS employees, all wearing navy blue AER T-shirts, leading the audience in an altered version of the song "Lean on Me."
Soldiers stood, swayed and clapped as they sang along, ending the opening ceremony with revved up energy to campaign for this program.
Support for the AER assistance program comes from contributions. It is a private nonprofit organization incorporated in 1942 by the Secretary of War and the Army Chief of Staff.
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