FORT GORDON, Ga. (Feb. 26, 2016) - When tragedy struck Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Tucker, he didn't know where to turn. A young Soldier at the time, having just arrived at Fort Gordon and six months after redeploying from Iraq, Tucker already had a lot on his plate.
And it was only the beginning.
"I lost my wife," said Tucker, now a small group leader assigned to the Noncommissioned Officers Academy Senior Leader Course, Cyber Center of Excellence.
Not only had he lost his wife, but being dual military, his family's income was drastically reduced, adding to the devastation. Then his leadership connected him to a program that Tucker said gave him hope when all seemed lost.
Fort Gordon Army Community Service hosted its 2016 Army Emergency Relief Campaign kickoff Feb. 23 at Gordon's Conference and Catering center. The event featured two of the program's beneficiaries, including Tucker.
AER is a private nonprofit organization dedicated to "helping the Army take care of its own" during financial crises. Funding comes from voluntary donations, repayment of AER interest-free loans, and investment income.
"This is the only time this year that Soldiers are asked to help their fellow Soldiers, and the efforts of each unit are really going to determine the success of this campaign," said Col. Samuel G. Anderson, Fort Gordon garrison commander.
The purpose of the annual campaign is to provide Soldiers an opportunity to help their fellow Soldiers, educate Army personnel on how to apply for assistance, and inform supporters of how their contributions are used.
Since 1942, AER has provided more than $1.7 billion in emergency financial assistance to 3.7 million Soldiers and their families. In 2015, AER contributed more than $71 million in assistance to an estimated 46,000 Soldiers and families.
Adding to those statistics, Anderson said AER provided more than $900,000 to 709 Soldiers at Fort Gordon alone in 2015.
"If you look at our population of 25,000 people in the city of Fort Gordon, people need this assistance more than you may realize," Anderson said. "From my perspective, there is a continuous need."
Had it not been for AER, Tucker is convinced he would not be the person he is today. Years after his first incident, a second unexpected need arose. This time a senior leader and in a position where he never expected to need assistance, tragedy struck again. A fire destroyed his house, taking along with it his grandmother and father. The sole caregiver for his children, Tucker was again grief-stricken and knocked down financially. Fortunately he sought help, and in that, he got his family back on track.
"I owe a lot to the Army; more specifically, the campaign and how it affected me and my family, my career, my Soldiers," Tucker said. "The impact that it's had on me and the resilience that it took to bring me out of those specific situations is unparalleled."
This year's goal is to raise $130,000. Anyone can donate to AER by check, cash or allotment (for active duty Soldiers and retired Army pay). Donations can also be made by credit card on the AER website.
Up until September of last year, Soldiers were required to go to their first sergeant or commander before requesting AER assistance. Now they can go directly to the AER office; however, there are a few exceptions. Soldiers E-1 through E-4 on Initial Entry Training orders, Soldiers with less than 12 months in service, and Soldiers who have received AER assistance twice in a 12-month period, will still require a signature from their first sergeant or commander before requesting AER assistance.
"Basically, as long as they are not high risk, they can come directly to us," said Jolane Williams, Fort Gordon AER officer. "If we sense a problem, we can always reach out to the command, and that's important."
During the kickoff event, Williams reminded the community that AER is not solely about emergency relief. The organization awards scholarships for those pursuing higher education to eligible applicants through its AER Scholarship Program. The application process is done entirely online, and the window to apply is open now through May 1.
For more information about the AER Campaign and AER Scholarship, visit www.aerhq.org, or call Williams at (706) 791-8685.
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