CAMP ZAMA, Japan – A modeling fair is once again being planned here Saturday to help kick off the Army Emergency Relief’s annual campaign.
Last year, roughly 200 adults and children attended the “Strike a Pose for AER” event at the Camp Zama Community Club that had several participants land gigs with major retail companies.
“Modeling is very popular here in Japan for foreigners,” said Brad Morgan, the AER officer at Camp Zama’s Army Community Service, “so it’s a great event to get the people out.”
Morgan said at least six modeling agencies from Tokyo are slated to scout for new talent at the event, which will be held at the club from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Command Sgt. Maj. Rick Meeker, the senior enlisted leader of U.S. Army Garrison Japan, will speak at the event, and a cake-cutting will also take place to mark the start of the AER campaign.
“Even if you came last year, come out this year to update your pictures and portfolio,” Morgan said.
For more than 80 years, AER has been the nonprofit of choice for Soldiers and families in need of assistance — or for those looking to donate.
The organization provides grants, interest-free loans and scholarships to enhance readiness and alleviate financial burdens. Since 1942, AER has provided $2 billion in aid to nearly 4 million Soldiers.
Last year, the Camp Zama ACS team helped distribute $55,000 in grants and loans to assist 25 Soldiers in the community.
“It’s Soldiers taking care of Soldiers,” Morgan said of the nonprofit. “If an emergency comes up, we’re there to drop that lifeline from a financial standpoint to try to reduce that stress.”
Much of those funds paid for emergency travel for community members who needed to travel back to the United States because of a loved one dying or being gravely ill.
“We don’t want money to be an issue for them,” Morgan said. “They’re already going through enough stress as it is when someone passes away or is very sick. We want to take out that financial [burden] for them.”
Additionally, there are $1,000 grants available from AER to cover expenses for Soldiers who participate in the Army Career Skills Program as they prepare to transition to civilian employment.
AER has committed $3 million in grants to support the program, which allows Soldiers to take part in various apprenticeships, internships and other employment skills training in their last 180 days of service, its website said.
AER is among the top 10 percent of all charities and receives no federal funding. The program is funded by donations from active-duty and retired Soldiers as well as other American citizens and corporations.
Morgan said the upcoming kickoff event has two goals to ensure Soldiers in the community will be taken care of when an emergency arises.
“We want to make sure that 100% of the service members are aware of how AER can help them,” Morgan said. “Sometimes you get a service member who says they know nothing about AER, and we don’t want that to happen.
“And the secondary goal is to give people the opportunity to donate.”
The campaign will end June 14 to coincide with the Army’s 250th birthday. Those interested in donating can attend the event, get in touch with their unit AER coordinator, or talk to ACS staff.
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