FT. KNOX, Ky. — A large fundraising campaign is underway at Ft. Knox to help give back to the men and women who serve in the U.S. Army.

What You Need To Know

  • Army Emergency Relief, a nonprofit organization, helps active duty and retired soldiers in need

  • The nonprofit provides grants, no-interest loans and scholarships to soldiers, retired soldiers and their families

  • Financial help can be provided for a variety of situations, like the need for help with medical bills, home repairs or emergency travel

  • Anyone can donate to the cause through May 15

The Army Emergency Relief annual campaign goes until May 15. Leaders at Ft. Knox are working to raise $130,000 to help active duty and retired military members and their families when they fall upon hard times.

Army Emergency Relief, also known as AER, is a nonprofit organization that raises money for current or retired soldiers in need. It provides grants, no-interest loans and scholarships for them and their families in a lot of circumstances where they might need help.

Some of those situations could include the need for assistance with medical or dental bills, car repairs, home repairs, utility payments, rent or mortgage payments and even emergency travel if a soldier is based somewhere away from home and needs help to get back for a family emergency.

“Really, it’s about readiness,” said Ft. Knox AER Specialist Robert Maxwell. “If a soldier’s worried about finances or something like that back home, they’re not going to be ready to do their job at work.”

It’s easy for those on base to donate. Soldiers and their families can give at any Army and Air Force Exchange Service point of sale. With any purchase, they’ll be prompted on whether they’d like to donate a few dollars to AER’s cause.

“One thing about the AER is the motto is, ‘Soldiers helping soldiers,’” said Command Sergeant Major Sherman Waters. “I truly believe that AER is helping everyone it can, every soldier, every retiree. They are there to help the community at a time of need and especially with the economy going on right now.”

AER is a national organization that’s been helping soldiers and their families for 81 years.

Anyone can donate to help soldiers and retired soldiers in need through the Army Emergency Relief website.

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