Walter Reed Army Medical Center will kick off its 2008 Army Emergency Relief (AER) campaign with a special message from Garrison commander, Col. Bruce Haselden, during a ceremony Monday at 11 a.m. in the Old Hospital (Bldg. 1) Vorder Bruegge Auditorium. This yearís goal is $50,000.
Since its establishment in 1942, AER has helped more than three million Soldiers and their Families with more than a billion dollars. Army Emergency Relief assists active duty Soldiers and their Family members; Army National Guards and Reservist on continuous active duty for more than 30 days and their Families; Soldier retired from active duty for longevity or physical disability and their Families; army National Guards and Reservist who retired at age 60 and their families; and surviving spouses and orphans of Soldiers who died while on active duty or after they retired.
Army Emergency Relief can assist with emergency financial needs for food, rent, utilities, emergency travel, vehicle repair, funeral expenses, medical or dental expenses, and personal needs when pay is delayed or stolen.
In addition to assisting Soldiers and their Families during emergency financial situations, AER also gives undergraduate ñlevel education scholarship.
AER assistance is available to Soldiers and their Families at more than 1,000 locations around the world. Soldiers may seek assistance from their local AER Office, any American Red Cross Chapter, Air Force Aid Society, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Coast Guard Mutual Assistance Office.
At Walter Reed the AER office is located in Army Community Service, Guest House (Bldg. 17), ;ower Level. AER assistance is also available in the Soldier Family Assistance Center, located on the third floor of the Heaton Pavilion (main hospital).
AER, which is not government funded, receives its funds from contributions, repayment of AER interest-free loans, and investment income. All contributions are tax deductible.
How can you help AER? Remind fellow Soldiers about AER when they have financial emergencies. Support AER with a contribution and encourage others to contribute. AER has received and exceptional rating by Chari-tyNavigator.org because 87 cents of every dollar contributed to the agency goes directly to Soldiers.
Visit AER on the Web at www.aerhq.org for more information. (Army Community Service)
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