FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — Fort Leonard Wood’s 2025 Army Emergency Relief fundraising campaign’s goal is to raise $250,000 for the Army’s 250th birthday June 14, and so far we have raised more than $148,200 with 52% of Soldiers donating.

This year’s campaign motto is five-peat for the 250th, meaning we could be the No. 1 AER campaign in the Army for the fifth year in a row and on the Army’s 250th birthday. Let’s make history and be No. 1 on the Army’s birthday.

We are asking that every unit contacts our campaign officers, Capt. Dackery Geiman at 573.596.2592 or Capt. Bentley Juste at 573.596.2596, to schedule an AER brief before June 10.

AER is a non-profit agency established in 1942 to serve the Army community with emergency financial assistance when situations arise for Soldiers and their families that are unforeseen.

In 2024, AER Fort Leonard Wood helped 503 Soldiers with $829,600 in assistance and another $122,000 in scholarships to 36 spouses and children. Army wide, AER helped 36,000 Soldiers with $53 million in assistance, and another $9 million in educational scholarships to spouses and children.

There are many categories of assistance under the AER program that are not commonly known to many in our Army family. AER covers more than 30 different categories of assistance – you may be surprised to know that AER covers much more than emergency leave. The categories of assistance are:

  • Housing (rent or mortgage)
  • Utilities
  • Basic furniture
  • Car repairs
  • Car insurance
  • Appliance repair or replacement
  • Travel expenses
  • Replacement vehicle
  • Child car seats
  • Safety helmets
  • Dependent dental care
  • Minor home repairs
  • Funeral expenses
  • Career skills program

AER can help with up to $4,000 in assistance and can ask for an exception for higher amounts depending on the circumstance. If there is a need not listed above, those who are eligible can also request an exception for unique situations. Those eligible for AER assistance are:

  • Active duty service members and their dependents
  • National Guard and Reserve serving under Title 10 orders and their dependents
  • Retirees (from active service, Guard or Reserve and their dependents)
  • Medically retired service members
  • Surviving spouses and children

The Army’s campaign goal is that every Soldier donates $5 per month. The Fort Leonard Wood goal is to have 90% of Soldiers donate something, even if less than $5 per month. Donating just one specialty coffee or an energy drink is all it may take to help a Soldier with an emergency need when they turn to AER for help. In 2024, 88.7% of Fort Leonard Wood Soldiers donated to the AER campaign, and we raised $301,125. This year’s goal is within our grasp with your donation.

Call today to schedule your units’ AER brief and help make history on the Army’s birthday.

For more information, call 573.596.0212 to speak to the AER staff. During nights and weekends, those eligible can also apply for assistance online through the AER website at https://www.aerhq.org.

(Editor’s note: This commentary was written by Chuck Matthews, Fort Leonard Wood Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Financial Readiness Program manager.)