Funds rolling in for AER campaign

By Ms. Carrie E David (SMDC/ARSTRAT)April 2, 2010

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The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command sold 115 pizzas March 25 and raised a total of $865 for the Army Emergency Relief campaign, in one of the first of many fundraisers across the installation.

AER Redstone provides financial assistance to active duty and retired Soldiers and their families. By March 10, AER Redstone had helped 59 Soldiers and family members with more than $63,000. In 2009, AER Redstone helped more than 369 Soldiers and family members with more than $393,000.

"The majority of financial assistance goes to E1-E4s (private-specialist)," said 1st Lt. Blair Tighe, USASMDC/ARSTRAT Headquarters and Headquarters Company executive officer and the 2010 AER chairman. "The majority of assistance is provided as interest-free loans with repayment plans of 12-24 months based on a Soldier's ability to repay."

In addition to the USASMDC/ARSTRAT pizza sale, a pizza sale (March 25) and a Krispy Kreme sale (April 1) raised $1,000 in buildings 5681, 5678 and 5308, and $520.50 was raised in a confection and cake sale (March 31) in building 5300.

More than a dozen fundraisers are planned before the AER campaign ends on May 15 with an end goal of $215,000.

Future fundraisers planned are: hot dog sale, April 7 between buildings 5303 and5304; Krispy Kreme sale, April 8 and May 6 at building 5250, April 22 at buildings 5681, 5678 and 5308, and May 12 at building 5220; BBQ cookout, April 22 at 106 Wynn Drive; pizza sale, April 15 and 29 at buildings 5681, 5678, and 5308; plant sale, May 5 beginning at 9 a.m. until all plants are sold; Flower Power Fundraising Catalogs until April 9 (call 313-2040); Silent Auction, April 22 (PEO M/S JAMS); Ice Cream Sandwich Sale, May 3-7 (PEO M/S JAMS); Chili Cook Off, April 8 at building 5220; Silent Auction/Book-a-thon/White Elephant sale, May 6 in building 5220.

Additional fundraisers following the regular campaign period will occur in late May. On May 20, a BBQ will take place at building 5250, and on May 27, a cook out and dunking booth will take place outside near the Sparkman Center cafeteria.

The next fundraiser at USASMDC/ARSTRAT will be the "AER Best Dang Chili Cook Off Contest" on April 8. Awards will be given in four categories: Best Taste, Most Exotic Taste, Best Presentation and Most Unique Name.

"After the Chili Cook Off, we will have a Silent Auction sale," Tighe said. "The chief of staff's parking spot will be up for bids among many other great items. We're having fun and it's all for a good cause."

The top three reasons for financial help are rent, vehicle (payment, repair or insurance) and utilities.

In 2009, AER Redstone reached its goal of $210,000.

For more information on AER fundraising e-mail Blair.Tighe@smdc.army.mil or Nicholas.Race@smdc.army.mil.

Carrie.Ford@smdc.army.mil

Related Links:

Space and Missile Defense Command Facebook

Army Emergency Relief Redstone