FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- Fort Rucker kicks off its annual fundraising season for the Army Emergency Relief 2011 campaign at 10 a.m., March 1 at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum.
The campaign, with the theme "Helping to make Soldiers and their Families Army Strong," runs from March 1 to May 15 and raises funds for continued support of eligible Soldiers and their Family members.
Soldiers can help other Soldiers by contributing to AER through allotment, check, money order or cash donations. In 2010 AER provided $77 million in assistance to more than 66,000 Soldiers and their Families.
AER is one tool commanders have to get Soldiers the help they need when they need it through the command referral program. The program gives company commanders and first sergeants the authority to approve AER loans to their Soldiers up to $1,000.
Established in response to a need for financial assistance by Soldiers and their Families during World War II, AER provides emergency financial assistance in the form of no-interest loans or outright grants. In addition, it provides scholarships to children and spouses of active duty and retired Soldiers, financial support to surviving Families of fallen Soldiers, and grants to widows and wounded warriors.
"As a newly married private 20 years ago, I was fortunate to have Family support when we were struggling financially, so I didn't need to call on AER for help at that time," said one recipient of AER funds. "This year, however, when my daughter began college we realized a potential strain on our Family budget.
"The Soldier applied for and received an AER scholarship in the amount of $2,000, which made a big dent in the cost of her higher education," said Capt. Roderick Duplin, this year's AER coordinator.
Duplin encourages leaders to remember those early years when they were struggling with the demands of a young Family, and to give generously to AER and to encourage their Soldiers to do the same.
The AER campaign relates to Army values according to campaign leaders.
"The values we all strive to live by, specifically: loyalty to other Soldiers and selfless service to subordinates," Duplin said.
The funds provided go directly to helping Soldiers in need.
"By donating to AER, Soldiers are helping to provide emergency financial assistance to fellow Soldiers," said Col. James A. Muskopf, campaign chairperson.
"I would have to say that this program is a great asset to the community. We are here for both active duty and retired Army Soldiers, and their Families, for an array of assistance such as: food, (vehicle) issues, rent, utilities, emergency transportation, medical/dental expenses, and funeral expenses, to name a few," said Nereida (Mimi) Brooks, Fort Rucker Army Emergency Relief Officer. "AER also has new categories of assistance including child car seats, Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning repair, and repair/purchase of stove or refrigerator. The addition of these categories will allow us to help our community even more.
"However, if we are 'Helping to make Soldiers and their Families Army Strong,' we need continued support from active and retired Soldiers. The annual AER Campaign will help us do that and every contribution gives Soldiers an opportunity to help their own," Brooks said.
For full details on AER assistance, call Brooks at 255-2341, or visit www.aerhq.org.
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