Return to the "POINTER VIEW"
                         March 8, 2002

By Valaerie VanKleeck
Assistant Editor

The annual Army Emergency Relief campaign started March 1 and will run through March 29 at West Point.

During the campaign, all active-duty personnel will be contacted and given the opportunity to contribute. Donations can be in the form of cash, personal check or allotment.

Last year, almost $74,000 was generated during the campaign. Of this, more than $53,000 was distributed to 53 individuals needing assistance here.

According the AER Officer Mary Ellen Olivia, assistance is available to soldiers and their families, wherever they are located, at the time of valid emergency financial need.

"We can help soldiers with food, rent, utilities and other personal needs when pay is delayed, for instance," she explained.

"We also help with travel expenses when a family member is ill or passes away," she added.

Other types of situations that might qualify for AER support are medical/dental expenses, funeral expenses, emergency transportation and vehicle repairs as a result of unforeseen circumstances.

Assistance is provided as an interest-free loan, a grant if repayment of the loan would cause undue hardship, or a loan/grant combination.

"Normally, loans are expected to be repaid in 12 months," Olivia explained. "But each situation is different and extensions can be granted."

Soldiers who want to apply for help should contact their first sergeant or commander first to explain the emergency. They have been provided the necessary forms required to start the application process, according to Olivia.

In the event a soldier is away from the installation when an emergency occurs, there is a toll-free number, 1-877-272-7337, that can be used to reach the American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Service Center. The center is operational 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Since January 1998, all financial assistance provided by the Red Cross to soldiers has come from AER funds. The two now work hand-in-hand to meet the Army’s emergency needs, Olivia said.

Service members from other branches can also get help.

"We also assist Navy, Marines and Air Force personnel, both active-duty and retired," Olivia explained.

Worldwide in 2001, more than $39 million in AER assistance was provided to more than 57,000 soldiers and their families. Due to this large volume, AER relies on the annual fund-raising campaign to assure the continuing availability of funds to meet the increasing assistance need for soldiers.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Eric Shinseki, in a letter to the soldiers and their families, asked that they continue to help AER in assisting soldiers and families in their time of need.

"On September 11, our Army Emergency Relief was one of the first relief organizations to begin providing assistance to the families of our comrades killed at the Pentagon. AER has continued this mission daily since then," Shinseki said. "By contributing, you will insure the safety net remains in place for you and your fellow soldiers."

For more information on how to contribute or if you have questions concerning AER, contact Olivia at 938-2519/4621.