JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
The Army Emergency Relief office at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, will kick off its annual fundraising campaign on March 13 which runs through May 15, 2019.
While U.S. Army Soldiers are trained on how to take care of themselves and their families financially, emergencies and unexpected financial troubles can happen at any time.
To support Soldiers during these situations, the Secretary of War and Chief of Staff of the Army created the AER in 1942. The program provides active duty U.S. Army Soldiers, Reserve, Air National Guard members on active duty orders, retirees and Gold Star families with loans and grants with no interest or fees.
“It’s a nonprofit organization that helps people,” said U.S. Army Master Sgt. Tamara Stewart, JBLE AER coordinator. “It’s a way we as active duty, retirees and civilians can help each other out in a time of need.”
According to Stewart, meetings at the AER office are by appointment only except for emergency situations which are done on the spot.
“We know that this can be something very personal, so Soldiers can come into our office no questions asked, meaning their [chain of] command doesn’t have to be involved unless the dollar amount exceeds $2500 or the Soldier has been in the Army less than two years,” Steward said. “As long as they have their documentation and it’s accepted through AER headquarters, they’re good to go.”
In order to be accepted by AER headquarters, AER must be able to determine if the loan or grant is being requested for a “need” or a “want.” Financial assistance will not be given out if the individual wants to buy a new car or wants money to travel for leisure. However, AER funds may be approved for situations such as a death in the family and the individual needs to travel to the family’s location or if an individual needs assistance in purchasing a car seat or other basic needs for dependent children.
When making an appointment with the AER office whether it’s in person or online, Stewart recommends individuals have supporting documents stating that their request if for a need and why they are requesting a loan or grant to make the process easier.
“This program is just a way for us to take care of our brothers and sisters in arms,” Stewart said. “If they are ever in a situation that they feel that they can’t get out of, there is an AER here to help.”
Though donations are accepted year round, this campaign is held every year to bring awareness and remind individuals about the AER program. Last year AER exceeded their goal of $100,000 by receiving more than $129,000 and they hope to exceed this year’s goal of $100,000 as well.
While the AER office does not host events directly, individuals or units may raise money through various events, which their command and the installation office of the Command Judge Advocate deem legal and appropriate.
For more information and to donate visit https://www.aerhq.org/ or call 757-878-5570.