FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- Fort Drum military and civilian leaders and Army Emergency Relief officials gathered Feb. 27 at the Commons to kick off the annual Army Emergency Relief Campaign.
The campaign officially began March 1 and will continue through May 15, with this year's campaign slogan being "Supporting Soldiers and their Families, yesterday, today and tomorrow."
"Financial problems are an indicator that touches every single aspect of the well-being of our Soldiers," said Diane R. Hupko, Fort Drum AER officer. "AER is your tool, and I'm telling you that we are here to work together with you, to make things easier for our Soldiers."
This year's slogan, according to the AER, is meant to create a greater awareness among Soldiers that the organization offers benefits for those who are in need.
And of course, the campaign also hopes to replenish its resources through donations. The campaign provides an opportunity for Soldiers to look out for each other, continuing the AER legacy of "helping the Army take care of its own."
Last year, AER disbursed $76.8 million in assistance to more than 66,000 Soldiers and their Families. Some 38 percent of that assistance was obtained through the command referral program, which gives company commanders and first sergeants the authority to approve up to $1,500 in interest-free loans for their Soldiers.
Here at Fort Drum, command referrals accounted for about 25 percent of all assistance. Command referrals can be for any reason, Hupko said, even for something as simple as a Soldier overextending himself on the previous pay day.
A Soldier can receive up to two referrals in a year, but the last one must be paid in full before the other, she continued.
The chain of command can select any payment plan between two and 15 months as long as it doesn't exceed the service member's expiration of term of service date. The only thing the AER office requires is the service member's Leave and Earnings Statement and the commander's signature, unless it's for an emergency leave.
The 2012 campaign raised $286,305, which included a $60,000 estate bequest. Of the 2012 donations, $212,000 was provided as grants to 214 Families.
"This year's campaign goal is $250,000," Hupko said, "although the campaign is really not about raising money. It's about raising awareness -- making sure leaders and Soldiers know that AER should be their first place to go for help."
AER assistance includes:
* emergency funds for rent, food, travel, car repair, funeral, medical and dental expenses;
* scholarships for children and spouses;
* grants to Soldiers medically evacuated from Afghanistan;
* support to Families of fallen Soldiers;
* repair of heating and air-conditioning systems;
* travel funds for permanent change of station when advances are not forthcoming;
* repair or purchase of stoves or refrigerators;
* purchase of child car seats; and
* purchase of cranial helmets when prescribed by medical authority and not authorized by TRICARE.
AER is a private, nonprofit organization, founded in 1942 to provide financial assistance to active-duty and retired Soldiers and their Families. Since AER's beginnings, some 3.5 million Soldiers and Families have received more than $1.5 billion in support.
"My expectations for my company this year is to be at 100 percent," said Staff Sgt. James Allen, 110th Transportation Company, 548th Sustainment Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade. "AER is a good cause that helps Soldiers that are in need. We should give back to help our Soldiers."
Before announcing the guest speaker, Command Sgt. Maj. Rick Merritt, division senior enlisted adviser, said a few words on behalf of the command team to encourage those participating in this year's campaign.
Immediately after his comments, Merritt, along with Col. Gary A. Rosenberg, Fort Drum garrison commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Oldroyd, garrison senior enlisted adviser, presented the guest speaker with a plaque on behalf of all Fort Drum's Soldiers thanking him for his hard work and dedication for the troops.
After a musical rendition by Soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division Band, the guest speaker, retired Col. Guy Shields, chief of communications and public affairs for AER, was introduced.
"Command is a privilege," Shields said. "It's a privilege that comes with a lot of responsibilities. One of those key responsibilities -- besides making sure our Soldiers are trained and ready -- is taking care of them and their Families. AER is a tool in your toolkit to take care of those Families and our Soldiers."
"The reason we have to do this every year is because the Army changes," Shields continued. "We have people going and coming continually, so every year we have to get the word out.
"Our biggest goal is to make sure Soldiers and Families know that assistance is available," he concluded.
After a round of applause, the event concluded with a prayer for the troops and Rosenberg and Shields cutting a cake with the AER logo on it for everyone present to enjoy.
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