FORT CARSON, Colo. -- There is less than a month left of the Army Emergency Relief campaign, which ends May 15.
"When you think about AER, we always say it's about Soldiers taking care of Soldiers. I think it's a great (opportunity) to assist our Soldiers," said Fred Lewis, AER officer, Army Community Service.
This year's goal is $250,000. Last year, more than $296,000 was raised.
"It's probably one of the best programs that the military has, as far as helping Soldiers," said Staff Sgt. Peter Klippel, noncommissioned officer in charge, embedded behavioral health, Medical Department Activity. "You encounter all kinds of problems in life, and sometimes it's completely unexpected. It's nice to have something that you can fall back on, that's supported from within."
Klippel and several other Soldiers at Evans Army Community Hospital hosted a baked goods fundraiser Monday. They raised $600 in less than four hours and sold everything that had been donated.
"It was a good day for all of us," said Sgt. 1st Class Victoria Saunders, Department of Medical Readiness NCOIC and EACH AER campaign manager.
AER is a nonprofit, donation-driven program offering financial assistance to Soldiers, veterans and their Families when they're facing financial hardships.
"We provide not only interest-free loans, but financial education, which I think is the most critical thing that we do to help our Soldiers," Lewis said.
The goal when offering Soldiers assistance through AER is for them to learn how to manage their finances in such a way that they won't need another loan.
Those interested in donating to the campaign have several options. They can donate through allotments by talking to the AER campaign coordinators embedded in their battalions. They can give through a cash or check donation. Donations can also be made online at http://www.aerhq.org.
"If they give online, they need to specify 'Fort Carson' so Fort Carson receives credit for the number of Soldiers that give during the AER campaign," Lewis said.
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