PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. - Picatinny Arsenal's 2012 Army Emergency Relief (AER) campaign kicked off March 1 with the annual Chili Cook-Off at the Cannon Gates Catering and Conference Center. The event raised $883 in just an hour and a half.
But that was just the beginning. More events to support the campaign will be held.
So what exactly is AER and where does your money go?
AER is a private nonprofit organizations incorporated in 1942 by the Secretary of War and the Army Chief of Staff. The mission has not changed since its inception: to provide emergency financial assistance to Soldiers and their families.
According to Tammy Mitchell, Director of Picatinny's Army Community Service Directorate, the Picatinny AER fund does not limit its assistance to Army personnel.
"We have helped not just Soldiers, but Marines too," she said. The assistance does not stop there. Any active-duty service member, regardless of branch of service, can apply for assistance. This assistance is also available to retired military personnel.
More than $79,000 was raised during the 2011 AER campaign at Picatinny Arsenal, the most the installation has ever raised for the cause.
Of that, $69,372.90 was disbursed locally to assist our military service members and their families as situations arose.
Funds provide assistance in a variety of situations: unexpected funeral expenses, travel, such as in a permanent change of duty station, food needs, utility bills, and late car and or rent/mortgage payments.
What portion of my contribution helps service members?
For every dollar contributed to the AER Fund, 89 cents goes to help service members and their dependents. AER administrative and fundraising expenses cost 11 cents per dollar.
Since AER was established in 1942, the program has helped more than 3.2 million Soldiers and family members with more than $1 billion
Any loans provided are made without interest in contrast to loans from a financial institution.
Mitchell said that her office can approve up to $3,000 here locally. Higher amounts require approval from a higher authority.
All first-term service members are now required to take financial training courses. Yet that does not mean that other services members can always have a firm financial footing.
In calendar year 2011, the Picatinny AER team provided 49 loans. Only three of those loans were to service members ranked E-3 and below. The majority of loans provided were to service members with ten or more years in the military.
Army Emergency Relief also offers grants for those who do not have the means of paying back a loan. However, proof of financial hardship must be documented.
The program also provides two spouse scholarships as well as the Maj. Gen. James Ursano Scholarship Program for dependent children. You can find out more on these scholarships at http://www.aerhq.org/
Additional Benefits
Support for surviving Families of Soldiers who die on active duty
Grants for wounded Soldiers medically evacuated from a theater of combat
Personal Financial Management Training for Soldiers in Army Advanced Individual Training (AIT)
AER will not provide funds for nonessential purposes, such as financing a vacation, paying legal fines or expenses, debt consolidation, vehicle purchases, home improvements, credit card debt or cosmetic surgery.
For more information on the AER campaign, contact Marci Keck, AER Officer at 973-724-2145 or this year's campaign chairperson, Maj. Alicia Johnson, at 973-724-8156.
Donations can be mailed to:
Army Emergency Relief
Bldg. 119
Picatinny Arsenal, N.J. 07806
Coin jars have been placed in several common areas throughout the installation to collect donations. You can also participate in any of the following campaign fundraisers.
Future campaign events:
MAR 29 - BUNCO, 4 p.m. at Community Center
APR 12 - Bagging for Bucks at the Picatinny Commissary, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
APR 19 - Wing Eating Contest, 5 p.m. at Sam Adam's Pub
APR 23-24 - Tricky Tray, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Choices Cafeteria
APR 28-29 - AER Weekend at CAVA Winery
MAY 3- Longest Drive Competition at Picatinny Golf Club
MAY 10 - Dunk-A-Military at Choices Parking Lot
MAY 11 - Bagging for Bucks at the Picatinny Commissary, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
MAY 23 - 4th Annual Duck Derby at Frog Falls
Related Links:
2009 Picatinny AER campaign exceeds goal
Picatinny's 2010 Army Emergency Relief campaign begins March 1
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