FORT BENNING, Ga., (April 20, 2016) -- On the battlefield, Soldiers take care of one another. The Army Emergency Relief program gives them the opportunity to do the same thing off the battlefield.

The AER is a nonprofit organization that provides financial assistance to Army personnel, retirees and those National Guard, Reserve who have been on active duty for 30 days or more, explained Lionel Grant, Fort Benning AER officer.

Every year the AER has a fundraising campaign. This year's began March 1 and will end May 15. This is the only time of the year that the AER solicits any kind of contributions, he said.

Grant revealed that the AER has provided $2.8 million in financial assistance in the last year.

Grant added that even during the campaign the AER continues to provide Soldiers with financial assistance.

"We like to encourage Soldiers to look at AER as their first choice for financial assistance in lieu of some of the lending institutions off post that have high interest rates," Grant said.

According to Grant, there an no interest rates on loans given to Soldiers by the AER.

"All the assistance is based on need. If there is a valid need or emergency, then we help," he said.

Grant explained that he doesn't know of any other places that would allow an individual to request money in the event of an emergency and receive financial assistance within 24 hours.

"There's not an agency on the planet that can compete with our rates," he said.

In addition to administering financial assistant to those in the Army, the AER also provides grants to the widow or orphaned children of Soldiers. These grants are also need-based.

"This is a way of life for us," Grant said, referring to an AER staff that he considers to be compassionate.

"They are truly concerned about the Soldier's well being. I guarantee that if they come to this office we're going to find a way to help them figure out their financial problem."