FORT HOOD, Texas — Many charities across the United States benefit service members and their families, but only one nonprofit organization's 67-year existence lives by the motto — "Helping The Army Take Care Of Its Own."
The annual Army Emergency Relief Campaign typically lasts from March 1 to May 15, and the Soldiers of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division ended the six-week drive with a significant contribution to help their fellow Soldiers-in-need.
"Since its founding, AER has always been where Soldiers are stationed when they needed help," stated Edward C. Meyer, President of AER, in a welcome letter on AER's official website, www.aerhp.org. "Though many things have changed over the years, one thing remains constant: our commitment to our long standing principle of caring for your financial emergency with integrity and professionalism."
The AER Organization has helped more than 3 million Soldiers and family members with their financial emergencies and educational needs since the Secretary of War established the program in 1942.
"AER gives back to the Soldiers," said Sgt. 1st Class Tahir Hasan, brigade aviation element, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div. "We have to look out for one another because someday my Soldier or I may need a loan."
Since returning from a yearlong deployment in Iraq approximately two months ago, Hasan repeatedly encouraged his peers and subordinates and tried to engrain the importance of contributing to AER during formations leading up to the May 15 deadline.
"If each Soldier in the 1st "Raider" Brigade gave one dollar, that's approximately $5,000 towards a Soldier or family member in need," explained Hasan, who calls Los Angeles his home.
Hasan's direct approach to motivating the Soldiers helped raise $1500, while the 1st BCT amassed approximately $20,000 during its AER Drive.
Spc. Daniel Whitney, a forward observer, assigned to the Raider BCT's Fire and Effects Cell, HHD, 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., always donates to AER and said he believes it is a great program that consistently helps many Soldiers each year.
In 2008 the AER campaign produced $9.3 million throughout the Army, and it provided approximately 72,000 Soldiers and families with a total of $83 million in AER loans, grants and scholarships, according to the AER website.
"If a Soldier needs a little help, then I got no problem helping them out," said Whitney, who hails from Salt Lake City, Utah, and is a veteran of two combat deployments. "Everybody needs help every now and then."
Hasan said he donates during the AER Campaign each year and started shortly after becoming a noncommissioned officer, when one of his Soldiers had a financial emergency and received an AER loan.
"That opened my eyes and I said 'Wow, people really do use this,' and I have donated ever since," Hasan said.