The Army Emergency Relief: 'Soldiers helping soldiers'

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class David Edge | A photograph of the official emblem of Army Emergency Relief. On a white disc, a blue annulet fimbriated gold enclosing a gold adaptation of the obverse of the Great Seal of the United States, encircled at top by the inscription "ARMY EMERGENCY RELIEF" in blue and at bottom by two gold crossed branches of laurel, all enclosed by a red annulet fimbriated gold and bearing fifty white stars, symbolizing the states and the Nation; red, white and blue are our National colors. Laurel signifies honor and achievement. (U.S. Army Courtesy photo/Released)  

FORT POLK, LOUISIANA, UNITED STATES

05.15.2013

Story by Sgt. David Edge 

4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division Public Affairs

FORT POLK, La. - The Army Emergency Relief, most soldiers have heard of it, but who are they, and how can they help you?

The Army Emergency Relief is a private nonprofit organization that was founded in 1942 by the secretary of war and the Army chief of staff. Its mission is to provide emergency financial assistance to soldiers and their families.

“We (the Army Emergency Relief) are here to help soldiers and their families during emergencies. We can help with paying the rent, we can help a soldier with his or her car if it broke down and they don’t have the funds to get it fixed, as well as, funeral expenses,” said Edwin Morales Aviles, Financial Readiness Program manager at the Army Community Service.

The AER provides assistance through interest free loans, grants if a loan will cause an undue hardship on the soldiers and their families. The Army Emergency Relief will even do a partial loan and grant combination.

“Every year the AER holds a fund raising campaign to raise money that they use to help the soldiers and their families from March 1 through May 15. This year Fort Polk’s goal was to raise $200,000, and as of May 10, the post had raised $160,000. With only a week left, it looks like we might make our goal because we are still receiving lots of donations,” said Morales Aviles.

To find out more about the Army Emergency Relief come to the 4th Brigade Deployment Fair May 21 at building 920, the ACS building, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:20 p.m.

• Date Taken: 05.15.2013
• Date Posted: 05.15.2013 17:07
• Story ID: 106956
• Location: FORT POLK, LOUISIANA, US