FORT KNOX, Ky. — It’s that time of year again, say Army Community Service officials; time for Soldiers to help Soldiers.
This year’s Army Emergency Relief campaign is set to run from March 1 to June 1. Bob Maxwell, Fort Knox AER specialist, said they traditionally receive the bulk of their donations from Army retirees, so the focus this year is encouraging about 1,000 Soldiers to give to the effort.
“We’re trying to get 25% of active-duty service members to donate,” said Maxwell. “That’s the big thing with the campaign this year.”
Known as the official nonprofit of the U.S. Army, AER’s overall mission remains fixed on providing grants, interest-free loans and scholarships to Soldiers in need. There are 30 categories of assistance, including emergency travel, basic essential furniture and healthcare not covered by Tricare.
“We have helped Soldiers who have had children born and needed a cranial helmet for a period of time. Those helmets cost between $1,200 and $2,000,” said Maxwell. “Of course, emergency travel as well — that’s a big one. That’s like the backbone of AER.”
There are three ways to apply for a grant or loan, according to the Army Emergency Relief website: through the chain of command; by visiting an AER officer; or by calling the American Red Cross at 877-272-7337 for those located further than 50 miles from a military installation.
The Fort Knox program works in coordination with U.S. Army Installation Command to improve readiness and bring relief to active-duty Soldiers and their Families who have valid emergency needs. This includes Reserve and National Guard Soldiers on active status for more than 30 days.
The money, however, is not limited to active-duty Soldiers and their Families, according to Maxwell.
“We also provide assistance to retirees,” said Maxwell. “That’s where a majority of our donations come from.”
Soldiers and retirees can set up an allotment when they donate. An easy way to accomplish this is to visit the AER donate page at https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org/donate/. On that page, there are two ways to donate: either online or through an allotment.
Civilian employees, National Guard and reservists are the exceptions.
“They can’t do an allotment, so they’ll have to donate by check or cash,” said Maxwell.
The AER program helped 447 Soldiers and their Families last year with over $746,000 in assistance. They included 206 grants, 224 loans, and 17 grant-loan combinations.
As well, scholarships totaling $344,650 were given to 102 spouses and children of Soldiers.
“Since it’s that time of year for children to apply for scholarships," said Maxwell, "any active duty or retired dependent child can apply for the scholarship,”
The application window is open from Feb. 1 to April 1. Spouses are authorized to apply all year round.
“We ask a lot of our Soldiers,” said Maxwell. “It’s nice to be able to give back to them. When you donate, you’re helping your buddy out.”
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Editor’s Note: For more information, call 502-624-5989.
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