AER campaign helps maintain Army Strong

Laura M. Levering/Northwest Guardian

Soldiers looking for a simple but meaningful way to help fellow Soldiers can do so through Army Emergency Relief.

The 2010 AER campaign at Joint Base Lewis-McChord begins Monday and runs through May 15.

Established in 1942 by the secretary of War and Army chief of staff, the nonprofit organization’s sole mission is to help Soldiers and their families by providing financial assistance in emergency situations. According to a press release, AER provided $79 million in assistance to more than 71,000 Soldiers and their families last year.

“We don’t just give them funds to put in their bank account,” said Donna Jones, JBLM AER officer. “We pay exactly what needs to be paid.”

Requests for funds usually come as the result of home eviction, disconnection of major utilities, essential vehicle repair, emergency travel or need for food.

“We’re here for the Soldier who comes in and his electric has been shut off, or he has an eviction notice,” Jones said. AER will not fund ordinary travel, fines, legal fees, non-sufficient bank accounts, nor will it settle debt.

“The things that we don’t do are not considered emergencies,” Jones said. “We have a wonderful financial counseling department to help with liquidation and consolidation of debt.”

AER provides emergency assistance in the form of interest-free loans or grants. Jones said a vast majority of recipients receive loans.

“About 94 percent of what we do is no interest loans that replenish and keep the fund going,” Jones said. “That’s how we make our money and are able to make money to lend.”

AER works with recipients to determine a fair payback plan, but generally they have 12 months or until their ETS date to repay a loan.

The organization relies on donations from Soldiers, family members, retirees and civilians to make loans and grants possible. Without their donations, thousands of families might be without help during crises.

Last year, the AER campaign at JBLM received about $420,000 in donations, while more than $2,341,000 in assistance was given.

Jones expects this year’s fundraising will be a challenge due to the large number of troops redeploying and reintegrating.

“We’re down about $800,000 from the year before, but most of the (troops) have been deployed,” Jones said.

Adding to the challenge is a realization that some of the Soldiers redeploying start off good financially, but soon after find themselves in a bad position because they got used to having extra combat pay.

“”The pay is higher and they’re not paying income tax when they’re deployed,” Jones said. “Some of them go out and buy a new car not thinking that they’re going to be paying on this car for five years, not just one.”

In addition to providing emergency financial assistance, “AER 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,” the AER press release said.

Donations can be made through a Soldier’s unit, the AER office at Waller Hall or online at aerhq.org. Anyone with questions may contact Jones at 967-9852.

“If you donate to AER, you’re donating to help your fellow Soldier in moments of emergency or financial crisis,” Jones said.

Air Force campaign

The Air Force Assistance Campaign will run from March 29 to May 7.