Fort Buchanan kicks off AER Annual Campaign

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A man stands at a podium and talks to U.S. Soldiers in uniform.

U.S. Army Garrison Fort Buchanan | April 12, 2023

Soldiers from the 1st Mission Support Command, Puerto Rico National Guard, Rodriguez Army Health Clinic and U.S. Army Garrison Fort Buchanan got together April 12 at the Community Club and Conference Center to kickoff the annual Army Emergency Relief Campaign.

The main purpose of the event, hosted by the garrison Army Community Service, was to provide training to increase awareness of this valuable benefit as well as to offer Soldiers the opportunity to help their fellow Soldiers by donating to AER.

Edwigd Pedre, Personal Financial Readiness and AER Officer, briefed the audience on the program that was incorporated over 80 years ago, in 1942, to relief financial distress of Soldiers and their Families with interest-free loans and grants for a variety of needs to include:

  • emergency assistance such as rent, food, travel, car repair, funeral, medical and dental expenses
  • children and spouse scholarships
  • grants to Soldiers medically evacuated from deployments
  • support to Families of fallen Soldiers

AER is the official nonprofit of the U.S. Army in which Soldiers help Soldiers by donating to the program. Contributions to AER are tax deductible. The campaign goes through May 15.

Sigfredo Pérez from ACS Relocation Readiness Program supported Pedre as AER Campaign Coordinator.

“Our Soldiers face unique challenges. Financial assistance is available to active duty, retired and eligible reserve component Soldiers. Family members, spouses, and children, also qualify to receive financial assistance, such as scholarships and grants,” said Col. Charles N. Moulton, Fort Buchanan Garrison Commander.

“Since 1942, AER has supported 4 million Soldiers with almost $2 billion in financial assistance, including $1 billion since 9/11. In Puerto Rico, AER has contributed close to $2 million in financial assistance to the Army community. AER has supported our Soldiers with $1.6 million in grants for Hurricanes Maria and Fiona combined, and over $200, 000 in financial assistance for undergraduate education grants. Let’s contribute with our donations to help our Soldiers ‘Be All You Can Be.’ Let’s continue our 80-years’ legacy of ‘Soldiers Helping Soldiers.'”

For more on the AER Annual Campaign, go to https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org/campaign.

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