POZNAN, Poland – U.S. Army Garrison Poland officially launched the 2025 Army Emergency Relief Campaign with a cake-cutting kickoff event at the Camp Kosciuszko chow hall on March 3.
The campaign, running through June 14, aims to raise awareness and funds to help service members facing unforeseen financial hardships, including emergency travel, rent or mortgage assistance, vehicle repairs, and medical expenses not covered by insurance. "Taking care of Soldiers is a top priority for the garrison, and AER ensures financial difficulties do not stand in the way of mission readiness," said Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Jones, the senior enlisted advisor for U.S. Army Garrison Poland.
This year marks AER’s 83rd year of commitment to assisting Soldiers and their families. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to providing emergency financial assistance, which plays a significant role in sustaining readiness and resilience across the force. Each year, AER typically provides around $50 million in financial aid to approximately 40,000 Soldiers and their families, helping them navigate unexpected hardships.
"AER is unique because it’s from Soldiers, for Soldiers," said Jones. "It’s our community stepping up to support one another in times of need." This community-oriented approach is particularly important as the AER campaign gains momentum and USAG Poland remains committed to ensuring Soldiers across the Poland footprint have access to the financial assistance they deserve.
To help with this mission, the AER team will host outreach events at noon in dining facilities across military communities, with sessions scheduled for March 12 in Powidz, March 19 in DCTC, and April 2 in Świętoszów. Soldiers and their families are encouraged to participate and learn more about the services AER offers during these events.
For more information on AER, available services, and how you can support, interested parties can visit https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org/ or reach out to their local AER representative. AER's work is not only about providing financial assistance; it's also about fostering resilience within the military community.
Through initiatives like the Army Emergency Relief Campaign, USAG Poland emphasizes its role as a supportive environment for its service members, ensuring they have the resources they need to overcome financial challenges and remain mission-ready.