Annual JBER troop relief funds exceed goals

Published May 17, 2012
By Air Force Staff Sgt. Robert Barnett
JBER Public Affairs

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- The campaign runs for the Air Force Assistance Fund and Army Emergency Relief have come to an end and both have exceeded their financial goals. The AFAF campaign ran from March 26 to May 4. The AER campaign ran from March 1 to Tuesday.
"For the AFAF we have raised more than $108,770," said Air Force 1st Lt. Keith B. Williams, 673d Communications Squadron Deputy Operations Flight commander. "The base goal was $103,619; this is the first time JBER-Elmendorf has met the goal since 2008."

The AFAF consists of the Air Force Village Foundation, Inc.; the Air Force Aid Society, Inc.; the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation; and the Air Force Enlisted Village, Inc.
Their mottos "Be there for an Airman," "Lend a hand to a retiree," "To provide a home," "Build a safety net," and "From enlistment through retirement...taking care of our own" illustrate their purpose and mission.

"For most active duty, the impact will be felt through the Air Force Aid Society," Williams said. "In 2011, AFAS provided $9 million for emergency assistance such as vehicle expense, emergency travel, funeral expenses, and more.

"They also provided $6.5 million for education programs such as education grants for college and spouse tuition assistance amongst other scholarship programs," he said. "They also provided $2.2 million in community programs such as funding childcare, performing vehicle maintenance or giving 42,000 airmen a free phone card."

For the Army, the AER's theme for the 2012 campaign was "A strong tradition of Soldiers helping Soldiers." The primary objective of the campaign is to "create greater awareness and understanding of AER programs and to provide Soldiers an opportunity to help their fellow Soldiers."

"Although AER is a private non-profit organization," said Salafai Ieremia, Army Emergency Relief officer. "Its exclusive mission is to help Soldiers and their eligible family members who are experiencing financial hardship. AER is also a means to provide education assistance to spouses and dependent children who are seeking their first undergraduate degree."

In 2011, the AER provided $77.5 million in assistance to more than 64,000 Soldiers and their families.

"The great thing about AER is we get every dime we put into it spent toward us. We use it, not someone else," said USARAK Chief of Staff Col. William Miller.

Beginning this year, four new categories of assistance were added: family member dental care, basic furniture needs, rental vehicles and replacement vehicles.

"The 2012 JBER-Richardson AER campaign monetary goal was set at $35,000," Ieremia said. "Soldiers exceeded this goal by collecting a total of $45,379. These funds are used to support our Soldiers and family members."

Retirees also contributed to this total, he said.

"I would like to thank the Campaign Coordinator, Sgt. 1st Class Fatima Menendez, for the diligent work she put forth in making this year's campaign a success," he said. "I thank all the team captains and key workers for working hard in exceeding this year's monetary goal. Most of all, I thank all who have donated in making sure that AER continues with the commitment of helping Soldiers and their families who are experiencing financial emergencies."

The contributions enable the respective campaigns to do more to help Soldiers and Airmen.

"Due to the funds raised this year, a few more troops might get a grant to fly home to mourn the loss of a loved one or a Vietnam veteran will have a place to call home," Williams said. "This is just the tip of the iceberg."

To learn more about your Air Force Assistance Fund or Army Emergency Relief, please visit www.afassistancefund.org/ or www.aerhq.org/