BACKGROUND: The Soldiers and Airmen Assistance Fund (SAAF), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was established in 2004 with the mission of providing financial support to Army and Air Guard families coping with unusual or unpreventable hardships. The SAAF is the only nonprofit organization in N.C. that provides financial assistance solely to the families of the North Carolina National Guard. Our funding for the program comes from individual and business donations. We do not receive any assistance from the state or federal government to operate nor are we a part of any government-funded compensation program.
Why is our program so important? First, we care about our citizen soldiers and are grateful for their sacrifices to protect us and our country. Secondly, when they return from deployment and are subsequently released from active service, the day that occurs, 90% of the benefits they received while on active duty no longer exist. They return to state control and any issues that now occur fall on the state. They return home and go back to their previous jobs, but some return home to find out their previous employer's business no longer exist and now they must start searching for a job that could take months or years to find. And there are many other challenges facing many of them: depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder (PSTD), substance abuse, marital problems, homelessness, and yes, sometimes even suicide.
When one of these events occur and they need help, they usually apply for assistance from state and local programs. The process of applying and receiving assistance can often take weeks as you know. However, if they have no income, food, utilities or heat for their family, waiting is not an option. They need help immediately!
Our program fills that time gap by providing the funds for those basic needs until the other services applied for can start. And, if there is a need we cannot provide, we will partner with others for the benefit of our military families.
Since 2004, the Soldiers Fund has provided $1.2 million dollars of financial assistance to more than 1,200 Guard families. Assistance is provided in the form of grants that are paid directly to mortgage lenders, utility companies, hospitals, and other providers. We provide grants for the following issues:
- Rent, food, utilities
- Unemployment due to job loss returning from deployment
- Homeless Guardsmen
- Wounded Warriors
- Food gift certificates for families requiring immediate help
- Medical issues
- Members suffering from Post Traumatic Stress and other mental health issues
- Emergency home repair
- Temporary pay problems
- Families of fallen member
In the Guard, need assistance? If you are a current member of the North Carolina National Guard and require assistance, click on the following link for more information: http://tinyurl.com/8oa58bj
Why is our program so important? First, we care about our citizen soldiers and are grateful for their sacrifices to protect us and our country. Secondly, when they return from deployment and are subsequently released from active service, the day that occurs, 90% of the benefits they received while on active duty no longer exist. They return to state control and any issues that now occur fall on the state. They return home and go back to their previous jobs, but some return home to find out their previous employer's business no longer exist and now they must start searching for a job that could take months or years to find. And there are many other challenges facing many of them: depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder (PSTD), substance abuse, marital problems, homelessness, and yes, sometimes even suicide.
When one of these events occur and they need help, they usually apply for assistance from state and local programs. The process of applying and receiving assistance can often take weeks as you know. However, if they have no income, food, utilities or heat for their family, waiting is not an option. They need help immediately!
Our program fills that time gap by providing the funds for those basic needs until the other services applied for can start. And, if there is a need we cannot provide, we will partner with others for the benefit of our military families.
Since 2004, the Soldiers Fund has provided $1.2 million dollars of financial assistance to more than 1,200 Guard families. Assistance is provided in the form of grants that are paid directly to mortgage lenders, utility companies, hospitals, and other providers. We provide grants for the following issues:
- Rent, food, utilities
- Unemployment due to job loss returning from deployment
- Homeless Guardsmen
- Wounded Warriors
- Food gift certificates for families requiring immediate help
- Medical issues
- Members suffering from Post Traumatic Stress and other mental health issues
- Emergency home repair
- Temporary pay problems
- Families of fallen member
In the Guard, need assistance? If you are a current member of the North Carolina National Guard and require assistance, click on the following link for more information: http://tinyurl.com/8oa58bj
Visit us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/saaf.nc
"Support our North Carolina National Guard Families"
"Support our North Carolina National Guard Families"