Joint Base Langley-Eustis kicks off 2021 AER campaign

By Julie KelemenMarch 11, 2021

AER Fundraising Drive kicks off at Joint Base Langley-Eustis
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Debra Stancil, a casualty Affairs Officer, addressed unit representatives during an AER kickoff event at the Wiley Theater at Joint Base Langley-Eustis March 11.

Stancil led the AER fundraising drive at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in 2020 and said that it’s important to raise awareness of the AER program to enhance unit readiness. (Photo Credit: Julie Kelemen) VIEW ORIGINAL
AER Fundraising Drive kicks off at Joint Base Langley-Eustis
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sergeant First Class Brenden Allen, a Cargo Specialist at the 597th Transportation Bde., collects a gift bag during an AER kickoff event at the Wiley Theater at Joint Base Langley-Eustis March 11. The AER is a Soldier-led non-profit that provides a grant or a no interest loan of up to $4,000 for active-duty, National Guard and reserve Soldiers and Family members. (Photo Credit: Julie Kelemen) VIEW ORIGINAL
AER Fundraising Drive kicks off at Joint Base Langley-Eustis
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sergeant First Class Brenden Allen, a Cargo Specialist at the 597th Transportation Bde., collects a gift bag during an AER kickoff event at the Wiley Theater at Joint Base Langley-Eustis March 11. The AER is a Soldier-led non-profit that provides a grant or a no interest loan of up to $4,000 for active-duty, National Guard and reserve Soldiers and Family members. (Photo Credit: Julie Kelemen) VIEW ORIGINAL
AER Fundraising Drive kicks off at Joint Base Langley-Eustis
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The Army Emergency Relief provides no interest loans or grants for service members and Family members for emergency travel, housing costs, vehicle repairs, education costs and more. (Photo Credit: Courtesy) VIEW ORIGINAL

JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. March 10, 2021 — The Army Emergency Relief program announced that an awareness campaign will run from March 11 until mid-May during a kick-off event for this year’s AER Fundraising Drive here today.

“The main goal of the campaign is to let Soldiers know of the financial resources available to them so they don’t turn to predatory lenders offering high-interest loans outside the gates,” said Cecilia Wallace, an AER officer at Joint Base Langley-Eustis.

The most common reasons for requiring emergency financial assistance include needing help with housing costs, such as minor repairs, rent deposits or furniture, vehicle maintenance and emergency travel, according to Wallace.

The program also provides grants that cover educational expenses, such as textbooks and tuition fees for spouses and eligible Family members.

The event was attended by unit representatives from across the installation, who will be collecting donations in support of the installation’s fundraising goal of $100,000.

“Most Soldiers will never need AER, but we are all responsible for the ones that do,” said Sergeant First Class Brenden Allen, a cargo specialist at the 597th Transportation Bde.

Due to the pandemic, the unit representatives will be accepting donations of $1 or more by cash, check or monthly paycheck allotments, Allen said.

The top three units who raise the most money will earn free food and be recognized at the end of the campaign.

Personnel interested in donating to the campaign should contact Sergeant First Class Brenden Allen at (757) 878-7856; (419) 699-8803 or email Brenden.allen85@gmail.com. Personnel needing financial assistance should contact their chain of command.

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