Air Force Assistance Fund, Army Emergency Relief campaigns to start soon

  • Published
  • By Airman Valerie Monroy
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  The Army Emergency Relief and the Air Force Assistance Fund campaigns will soon be underway.

The objective of both campaigns is to provide information about what these organizations support and to request donations.

The AER campaign will run from April 1 to May 15 and the AFAF campaign will run from 21 March to 30 April.

"AER was incorporated in 1942 for the purpose of collecting and holding funds to relieve distress of members of the Army and their dependents," said Jeniffer Hutchinson-Wilson, assistant Army Emergency Relief officer. "It's an organization dedicated to helping the Army take care of its own."

The campaign gives each active duty military and retired service member of the Army the opportunity - through on-the job solicitations - to contribute voluntarily to the program. The collected funds are then made available to commanders to provide financial assistance to Soldiers based on a valid need.

In addition to emergency relief, AER maintains two scholarship programs, the Spouse Education Assistance Program and the Major General James Ursano Scholarship Program for dependent children. Both provide financial assistance for students pursuing their first undergraduate degree.

"Scholarship applications for the 2016 to 2017 academic year will be accepted until 3 p.m. Eastern time on May 1st," Hutchinson-Wilson said.

The AFAF aims to accomplish a similar mission.

"The AFAF campaign is an annual, on-the-job fundraising appeal conducted among Air Force personnel for the benefit of Air Force personnel," said Air Force Master Sgt. Matthew Brooker, 773d Civil Engineer Squadron first sergeant and JBER's AFAF installation project officer this year. "It's Airmen helping Airmen."

AFAF contributions provide financial support to four AFAF affiliates: the Air Force Aid Society, the Air Force Village, the Air Force Enlisted Village and the General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation.

The Air Force Aid Society provides Airmen and their families worldwide emergency financial assistance, education assistance and various base-level community-enhancement programs.

The Air Force Villages support independent and assisted living needs for retired officers and their spouses, widows or widowers and family members.

The Air Force Enlisted Village provides homes and financial assistance to retired enlisted members and their widows and widowers who are 55 and older.

The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation provides rent and financial assistance to widows and widowers of retirees in their homes and communities through financial grants of assistance.

Since only active duty and retirees from the Army and Air force can benefit from the funds, representatives can only solicit active duty and retirees for donations. Civilians and military members from other services can donate, but should not be asked to.

"AER contribution forms will be handed out to all Soldiers interested in donating throughout the campaign period," Hutchinson-Wilson said.

Similarly, during the AFAF campaign, every unit will have a representative who will make contact with all  active duty and retirees to solicit donations, Brooker explained.
"Our goal for [the AFAF] this year is $115,423," Brooker said.
For more information on the AER campaign and scholarships, visit http://www.aerhq.org.
For more information on the AFAF campaign http://www.afassistancefund.org.