Fort Drum kicks off AER campaign

By Mr Paul Steven Ghiringhelli (Drum)March 8, 2012

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1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Retired Sgt. Maj. Steve Broadway, assistant manager at AER headquarters near Washington, D.C., speaks to dozens of Soldiers gathered Feb. 29 at the Mission Training Complex on post where officials kicked off the annual Army Emergency Relief campaign ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- Military and civilian leaders gathered Feb. 29 at the Mission Training Complex on post to launch this year's Army Emergency Relief campaign at Fort Drum while also training dozens of Soldiers who were selected to represent AER's interests back at their units.

"We as leaders have an obligation to take care of our people," said Col. Noel Nicolle, Fort Drum garrison commander. "If somebody is in a downward spiral of financial troubles, we as leaders have an obligation to step in and try to help them."

This year marks 70 years since the AER was launched in 1942 to help Soldiers "take care of their own."

To help kick off the campaign here, a retired sergeant major from AER headquarters near Washington, D.C., traveled to Fort Drum to speak to the community.

"Why do we run a campaign?" asked Steve Broadway, assistant manager at AER headquarters. "First, we have to replenish funds. We give out a lot of money.

"Also," he added, "as a private nonprofit, we don't pay any taxes. So, one-third of all the money that comes into Army Emergency Relief must come through donations. Otherwise, we would lose that private nonprofit status. So the campaign is very important each year."

In addition to its primary mission of encouraging military-led giving, Broadway said the campaign seeks to raise awareness among Soldiers, retirees, Family Members and survivors of the many crisis situations that qualify for AER assistance.

He said 100-percent participation when it comes to donating would be nice, but more importantly, "We want 100-percent awareness."

"Fully one-third of the Army turns over each year," he explained. "As new Soldiers come in, we want them to know about Army Emergency Relief. When they have financial emergencies, it's in the back of their mind."

The annual AER campaign runs from March 1 through May 15.

Because they and their Family Members are the ones eligible to receive assistance, only active-duty and retired Soldiers are encouraged to donate during the campaign.

However, AER does accept unsolicited contributions, which are tax-deductible, from any civilian person or group.

Of the $77 million in AER assistance disbursed among communities Armywide in 2011, more than $2 million helped some 2,300 Soldiers and Familes at Fort Drum. A part of that assistance involved $133,000 in grants, and 442 command referrals resulted in $438,000 of interest-free loans.

Fort Drum raised $212,000 last year; the goal this year is $300,000, which, if reached, would break a division record, officials said.

Also on hand to show their support during the campaign kickoff last week were garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Mark H. Oldroyd and Michael McKinnon, deputy to the garrison commander.

"AER is a great resource for our Soldiers and Family Members here at Fort Drum, and you guys are fulfilling a very important part of (this) campaign," McKinnon told the large group of Soldiers working as AER representatives.

Oldroyd, happy to see high-ranking Soldiers in attendance, praised everyone's participation and explained why AER is such a critical organization worthy of Soldiers' time and support.

"I know you got stuff that you have to manage your time against," he said. "The bottom line is the Army Emergency Relief program is evolving quickly, (and) the feedback from the field has brought about change.

"What you will hear today is that it's not necessarily a program designed to help people who can't manage their money," Oldroyd added. "It's designed to help people who need help at the time they need it -- and that's where we need feedback from you."

Since its inception, AER has provided well over $1.3 billion in assistance to more than 3.3 million Soldiers, Family Members and retirees. Broadway noted that many things have changed at the organization over the last 70 years, but that the mission of relieving Soldier distress has not.

"It's really that simple," Broadway said. "Relieve distress -- not just in emergencies, but to make a difference in the quality of life for Soldiers."

Financial assistance from AER comes in the form of grants and interest-free loans.

What constitutes an emergency is an area that has seen significant change at AER.

Two years ago, Broadway said the board of managers expanded eligibility for interest-free loans to five new categories: travel assistance for relocation expenses; heating, ventilation and air-conditioning expenses; stove and refrigerator expenses; cranial helmets; and child car seats.

"Three months ago, we went back to the board and presented four more areas to qualify for interest-free loans," said Broadway. Those areas cover dependent health, furniture, rental vehicles and replacement vehicles.

Another evolution was the AER's Commanders' Referral Program, which was recently streamlined so that Soldiers could qualify more often for assistance such as interest-free loans.

For example, if a Soldier's car fails a state vehicle inspection and needs $480 to replace the tires, Broadway said that instead of the first sergeant filling out a form to give the command financial NCO to take to battalion to then go many more channels, the Soldier now receives an application from the first sergeant, it's signed and it's approved.

"That goes directly to AER for assistance," he said.

Broadway said one of AER's goals is to "compete" with payday lenders who charge exorbitant interest rates.

He noted that the Commanders' Referral Program was the direct result of Soldier feedback years ago when surveys indicated Soldiers gave the same reason for why they opted for loans at exaggerated interest rates instead of asking AER.

"The answer always came back the same: 'It's too hard to get to the money. Too many obstacles, too many roadblocks, to get to the AER money,'" Broadway said.

Since then, AER "reserve funds" have helped make loans easier for Soldiers. He said AER collects between $7 million and $9 million in interest each year from a modest investment portfolio run by the organization, whose current net worth is some $280 million.

In addition to taking that money and helping Soldiers -- like recently increasing debit cards for wounded warriors from $200 to $500 to cover incidental expenses -- AER also provides funds for survivor assistance, spouse education and other Family Member needs.

Officials at the ceremony urged every delegate to dutifully spread the word about AER in their ranks. In addition, Diane R. Hupko, Fort Drum AER officer, introduced them to the AER campaign coordinator for the installation, Sgt. 1st Class Edwin Pugat, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 10th Mountain Division (LI).

"We truly need to help to get the word out about what happens when somebody asks for help through their chain of command," Hupko said, "because we are a big Family."

Nicolle echoed the idea of the Army being a big Family. He told the Soldiers in attendance to keep in mind the "human element" of giving and receiving.

"Times are tough out there," the colonel noted. "Outside these gates … if (someone is) in dire straits … (they get) kicked to the curb. But we have an opportunity as an Army to be able to take care of our own."

The garrison commander said Soldiers in emergency situations have collateral that a civilian does not.

"Our collateral is this," he said, pointing to the U.S. Army tag on his uniform. "That's our collateral, and that's where AER comes in.

"When you talk to folks about Army Emergency Relief, don't just hand them the form," Nicolle added. "I would just ask each of you to explain to them, especially these young Soldiers, what AER does specifically for (people) at Fort Drum and how can we better help each other."

"AER is something for us," Oldroyd told participants. "Ask your Soldiers, give a dollar, give five dollars -- whatever they feel they can help with."

The ceremony concluded with the playing of 1942 Irving Berlin song "This is the Army Mr. Jones" and Nicolle offering Broadway a gift as a token of Fort Drum's appreciation.