Joint Base Langley-Eustis Aims to Raise 100k for AER

Bryan Myhr | Enterprise Multimedia Center | March 1, 2022

Joint Base Langley-Eustis looks to raise $100,000 for its annual Army Emergency Relief campaign. AER is a private, nonprofit organization that was created to help Soldiers and their Family members who experience financial emergencies.

“AER is the Army’s non-profit organization” said Thomas Lindemann, JBLE Army Support Activity Operations officer and AER officer. “They provide assistance in the form of a zero percent interest loans, grants, a combination of the two and dependent scholarships.”

The JBLE ASA oversees the AER campaign and will host a kickoff event on March 19 at the Fort Eustis Confidence Course. Teams of two can participate in the Partner Obstacle Race with prizes for several categories including fastest time and best spirit. Registration is $25 for teams of two, and all proceeds go toward the AER campaign.

“The events this year will be on a completely different level,” said Lt. Col. Colin Greata, U.S. Army Support Activity commander. “They are not only a way to contribute to AER, but a way to build meaningful memories with your family, and you will be bragging to your teammates about going to them.”

Three individuals cut a cake together. — Army Support Activity holds a kickoff event for the 2022 Joint Base Langley-Eustis Army Emergency Relief campaign on March 19, 2022, at Fort Eustis, Virginia. The event featured a partner obstacle race which benefitted the AER campaign. (U.S. Army photo by Bryan Myhr)

For calendar year 2021, the Fort Eustis AER program provided 221 assistance cases to members of the JBLE community for a total value of $534,028. The 2021 JBLE AER campaign raised approximately $75,000.

AER provides funds to help Soldiers with immediate financial needs with rent, utilities, emergency travel, etc. AER may also provide emergency funds to Soldiers’ orphans and Surviving Spouses and offers undergraduate scholarships to Spouses and Children of both active and retired Soldiers.

Man in ballcap speaks into a microphone. — Retired Lt. Gen. Raymond Mason, Army Emergency Relief Director, speaks during the March 19, 2022, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, AER Campaign Kickoff. (U.S. Army photo by Bryan Myhr)

“For units, it might seem like contributing to the AER Campaign, and all events we’re going to have, is a distraction to the mission, but at the ASA, we see on a daily basis how what we do with AER is actually helping sustain Soldiers getting after their mission sets by easing the stress of financial burden,” said Greata. “It is one of the most direct ways for a Soldier to help another Soldier.”

Donations are tax deductible and can be received by unit AER representatives, at AER promotional events, DFAS allotments and on the AER website. Be sure to select Joint Base Langley-Eustis and the correct unit when donating online.