AER: Soldiers caring for Soldiers

The Fort Eustis, Virginia, Army Emergency Relief assistance program launched their 2017 campaign, ‘75 Years: A Legacy Year of Caring,’ March, 2, 2017. The campaign events will run through May 30, 2017.

For 75 years, the program objectives have stayed the same: Raise awareness of the benefits that the AER assistance program has to offer, and aid Soldiers in helping fellow Soldiers.

This year, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Anthony Funkhouser, Center for Initial Military Training commander, gave the opening remarks at the campaign kick-off and stated his fundraising goal for the installation is to put $115,000 toward helping Soldiers, retirees and their family members.

“This is the military taking care of its military members,” said Funkhouser. “You can’t ask for a better program that gives right back to military members and helps us take care of our own.”

As of February 2017, $57,000 has been distributed to approximately 43 Ft. Eustis Soldiers, retirees and their families.

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Hood, 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary) Headquarters operations sergeant and 2017 AER campaign coordinator, wants to promote the importance of reinvigorating the installation’s fundraising efforts to ensure Soldiers, who need it, receive assistance.

“This program exists because we, as Soldiers, continue to donate to take care of other Soldiers in need for the last 75 years,” said Hood. “You never know when you or your battle buddy will need a helping hand. Just know your donation, big or small, will go a long way.”

Army Emergency Relief offers grants, survivor assistance and scholarships to qualified individuals as well as interest-free loans up to $1,000 for terms between 12 and 24 months.

Assistance is offered to help with emergency financial needs for services such as food, rent, emergency transportation, emergency leave, funeral expenses, medical expenses or personal needs when pay is delayed or stolen.

However, AER does not aid in paying for legal expenses, credit card bills, nonessentials or to finance ordinary leave.

“When you donate, you may never know the lives that you have touched,” said Hood. “But knowing that you can help affect lives for good throughout the community makes donating worth it.”