Since its inception, the ASTP has been proud to choose and support local charities. We have raised fund for a variety of causes over the years and helped many local families in their times of need. In January, the board of the ASTP made the decision to concentrate all of our efforts into one cause, which is to provide emergency relief funding through Deployed Service Members and Family Relief Fund.

The plan of the fund is to offer financial assistance to the families of service members during times of deployment. Many service members are deployed for 12 to 18 months at a time. Imagine if tomorrow your husband, wife, mother or father was deployed for that period of time. Of course it would be emotionally difficult but it would inevitably cause a financial hardship on the family as well. The purpose of the relief fund is to offer some financial support to these families in their time of need.

Regardless of your position on the war, you must agree that if these families need help, they should get it. The members of our military volunteer to serve. And when they are called upon, they selflessly respond. The support we can offer these families is small compared to the sacrifice they are making to protect us all.

The fund will be specifically directed to benefit local families. While there are federal aid programs available, we want to offer a simple process of getting aid to the people who need it quickly. Qualifying family members will be able to fill out a short application form, our board will evaluate the request within 24 hours and funds will be dispersed immediately upon approval. By servicing local families, we will be able to eliminate a lot of the “red tape” usually associated with requesting financial aid directly from the government.

We do acknowledge that we may not be able to pay a mortgage for a family, but we want to offer prompt assistance to families in need even if it is on a comparatively smaller scale.

We always encourage open conversation and idea sharing on how to improve our collective efforts. Please feel free to visit our website at www.4astp.com for more details.