FORT SILL, Okla.-- "Supporting Soldiers and their Families; Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow," is the theme for this year's Army Emergency Relief Campaign, which assists Soldiers and family members with financial needs through interest-free loans and grants.
The AER annual campaign, which runs from March 1 through May 15, is conducted every year to create greater awareness of Army Emergency Relief programs and benefits; and to give Soldiers the opportunity to help their fellow Soldiers.
Everyone is invited to the AER campaign kickoff Feb. 22 at 10 a.m. in Room 209 of the Welcome Center, 4700 Mow-Way Road. Col. Paul Hossenlopp, garrison commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Miller, garrison CSM, will attend. Retired CSM Charles Durr, AER Headquarters, will be the guest speaker.
"Raising awareness of Army Emergency Relief benefits is the critical first step in providing Soldiers much-needed access to Army Emergency Relief assistance. Our goal is to ensure that no Soldier or family member is disadvantaged in time of financial need because they did not fully appreciate the benefits of Army Emergency Relief," said retired Lt. Gen. Robert Foley, AER director.
"Our goal is to assist Soldiers and family members with financial issues that need to be resolved. This is done through AER interest-free loans or grants. In all cases the form of assistance is determined by the Soldier's individual circumstances," said Cynthia Phillips-Lewis, Army Community Service, Financial Readiness Program specialist.
Zilpa Oseguera, AER officer, said there is no appointment necessary to visit the AER office. "We do it on a walk-in basis," she said. "For Soldiers, command financial advisers are available at the unit level to assist with any request for financial assistance."
Established in response to a need for financial assistance by Soldiers and their families during World War II, Army Emergency Relief provides emergency financial assistance in the form of interest-free loans or outright grants. In addition Army Emergency Relief provides scholarships to children and spouses of active-duty and retired Soldiers, financial support to surviving families of fallen Soldiers, and grants to widows and wounded warriors.
Phillips-Lewis said that in 2012 Army Emergency Relief provided $76.8 million to more than 59,000 Soldiers and their families. Through the Command Referral Program, company commanders and first sergeants have the authority to approve AER loans to their Soldiers up to $1,500.
"Army Emergency Relief assistance is available to Soldiers and their families, wherever they are located, and the amount of assistance is only limited by a valid need. Soldiers and their family members requiring Army Emergency Relief assistance can contact their unit chain of command or go to their local installation AER office," she said. "We can assist Soldiers with paying utilities, vehicle repair, dependent dental care, funeral expenses and much more."
The Fort Sill AER Office is at the Welcome Center, 4700 Mow-Way Road, and the number is 442-4916. The office is open Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For those not near Army installations, they can seek assistance at Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps or CoastGuard installations from the Air Force Aid Society, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society or Coast Guard Mutual Assistance respectively, or from any local chapter of the American Red Cross throughout the United States.
Full details on AER assistance programs may be found on the Web at www.aerhq.org.
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