The money is given back in zero-interest loans or grants to Soldiers when they need it. One is to raise money through donations from Soldiers and civilians. So we really encourage our Soldiers to get the help early so we can tackle the problem when it’s smaller, versus when it becomes a larger problem.” With any Soldier, when you have a financial problem, if you wait too long, that problem becomes larger than what it was when it initially started. “It’s not a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength to get help - especially if you have financial problems or need financial assistance. There are also interest-free loans,” said Taylor. There are grants that are available, and as you know, grants don’t have to be paid back. That has the highest return rate of any community nonprofit, he said. Rhett Taylor, for every dollar that is donated, 90%, or 90 cents of every dollar, goes back to the Soldier. You just never know if YOU may need AER for something.”Īccording to Fort Sill’s Garrison Commander Col. “This program is helping Soldiers, family members, retirees, survivors, wounded warriors - we’re looking at this whole population of people. On an annual basis, more than $5 billion AER dollars just to help Soldiers and ex Soldiers’ families,” said Ken Lewis, Fort Sill Army Emergency Relief Officer and Financial Readiness Program Manager. “Last year, we helped 600 Soldiers and family members at Fort Sill alone. The organization also provides education scholarships for Soldiers’ spouses and children. Some common reasons include: one-time rent payment, car repairs, utilities, some medical payments, PCS travel and COVID assistance, as well as other unforeseen emergencies. The program has been around for 80 years and has given nearly $4 billion in funds to help more than two million overcome financial hardships.ĪER helps with zero-interest loans for more than 30 categories of assistance and emergency situations. The Army Emergency Relief campaign kicked off March 1 and leaders says AER is the truest form of Soldiers helping Soldiers and their families. Monica Wood | Fort Sill Public Affairs Office | March 1, 2022
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