Photo By Lanessa Hill | Medical Research and Development Command and Garrison Leaders fill out pledge forms as...... read more read more
FORT DETRICK, Md.- Fort Detrick kicked off the annual Army
Emergency Relief Campaign in the CAC this week. Known to many
simply as AER, the program provides emergency financial assistance
to active-duty Soldiers, retirees, and family members during times of
valid emergency need.
The campaign to collect donations and inform Soldiers of AER runs
from March 1- June 14, 2025. In 2024 more than 34,000 soldiers and
retired soldiers received over 60 million in AER assistance. The program
is 100% funded through donations by active duty, retirees, civilians,
foundations and corporations.
Maj. Gen. Lodi, Commanding General United States Army Medical
Research and Development Command and Fort Detrick stated she
likes that everyone is made aware of the program during the campaign
season and almost every cent donated goes back in the program
and is used for assistance.
“First and foremost, the threshold of success is that everyone is contacted
and made aware that the program exists either to donate to or
be a recipient or benefactor of the program. Ninety cents of every
dollar goes back to assistance efforts”, said Lodi.
Financial assistance can take many shapes. Some include:
• No interest loans with no fees
• grants based on individual needs.
There are over 30 different assistance categories including basic living
(food, utilities, rent, temp housing), Medical (dental care for dependents,
medical copays not covered by Tricare, Cranial Helmets), Privately
Owned Vehicles (repairs, insurance, monthly payment, rental
vehicle when POV is being repaired, and Unforeseen Emergencies
such as funeral expenses, emergency travel, safe travel due to domestic
violence, minor home repairs.
The top 5 most common categories of assistance are personal vehicle
repairs, housing cost (ex. first month rent), emergency travel, utilities.
Our goal is to increase awareness of AER programs and benefits and
talk to every soldier giving them the opportunity to participate in the
campaign through their donation. Make AER a soldier first choice
when seeking financial assistance and finally encourage and offer
more soldiers the opportunity to donate to AER to help fellow soldiers
in need.
The AER program is operated through the Army Community Services
Program located in building 1520 on the first floor. Reach out to ACS
by calling 301-619-3455 for ways to donate or for more information
on assistance.
| Date Taken: | 04.01.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.01.2025 08:29 |
| Story ID: | 494192 |
| Location: | FREDERICK, MARYLAND, US |
| Web Views: | 23 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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Fort Detrick
