EANGUS and the National Guard Relief Foundation are excited to announce a new partnership with the USAA Educational Foundation to enhance the financial literacy of National Guard service members.  A new online course titled “Guard Your Finances,” will be available on the Resources page of the EANGUS website on October 1, 2024.

This course, provided by the USAA Educational Foundation, is designed to equip National Guard members with essential financial management skills, helping them make informed decisions about their personal finances.  During the course, which takes approximately one hour to complete, students will learn the importance of having a Financial Game Plan, and will learn how to Build a Budget, Save for Emergencies, and Manage Debt. Upon successful completion of the course, a certificate will be issued.

Additionally, effective October 1, 2024, National Guard members applying for an interest-free loan from the National Guard Relief Foundation will be REQUIRED to complete the “Guard Your Finances” course, and submit/upload their completed Budget Worksheet (provided in the course), as well as their course completion certificate, with their loan application. This course is recommended for anyone seeking financial assistance or training, but its completion is NOT required to apply for the S.A.R.G.E Grant at this time. Questions regarding the NGRF interest-free loan application process may be referred to the National Guard Relief Foundation Director at director@eangus-wcfa.org .

The National Guard Relief Foundation exists to help the men and women of the National Guard and their families who are facing financial hardships as a result of natural disasters, personal hardships, and catastrophic losses. The Foundation offers current, former, or retired National Guard members of all ranks the opportunity to apply for a Grant or Interest-Free Loan based on demonstrated and verified need.  If you know a National Guard member in need of help, please review the attached NGRF Flyer at this LINK, or refer them to our website at www.eangus-wcfa.org  If you’d like to help other National Guard members in need, we encourage you to make a tax-deductible donation on our website at www.eangus-wcfa.org/donation-3/ 

The USAA Educational Foundation offers free financial education resources from experts in personal finance and military life. As an educational foundation, they provide trusted information and do not endorse or sell any products. USAAEF empowers people to take actions that increase their financial resiliency and improve their quality of life. More information about the USAA Educational Foundation can be found on their website at: Military Financial Education – USAA Educational Foundation (usaaef.org)

Regarding launch of the new “Guard Your Finances” course, MSgt (Ret) Daniel Reilly, Chair of the National Guard Relief Foundation said, “We appreciate the support provided by the USAA Educational Foundation and believe this course will provide National Guard members with valuable financial knowledge while continuing to support their financial needs.”

National Guard Relief Foundation (NGRF)

May 30, 2024

Announcement is made of a contract position opportunity with the EANGUS We Care for America Foundation, Inc., dba the National Guard Relief Foundation (NGRF)

 POSITION TITLE: Director

SALARY: Salary will be commensurate with the knowledge and experience of the selectee and based on the provisions contained in the contract.

SELECTING OFFICIAL:  Chairman, National Guard Relief Foundation

AREA OF CONSIDERATION:

• Current life or annual members of the Enlisted Association National Guard of the United States, and,
• Other individuals who have the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position.
• Applicants must possess the appropriate business acumen, demonstrated leadership experience, grant/fundraising experience, and a depth of understanding about the mission and activities of the Foundation.

APPOINTMENT REQUIREMENTS: See complete position announcement attached

CLOSING DATE: Midnight ET, Saturday, June 15, 2024

PROJECTED START DATE: July 1, 2024 (Subject to negotiation)

SUBMISSION: Forward resumes/application to the NGRF Chairman, CSM (Ret) Karen Craig at chairman@eangus-wcfa.org

VIEW JOB ANNOUNCEMENT HERE: WCFA NGRF Director Job Announcement 2024

For the annual NASCAR Throwback race weekend at Darlington Raceway this year, Hendrick Motorsports and Chase Elliott are running a special paint scheme on the No. 9 UniFirst Chevrolet ZL1 that honors Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s 2014 Daytona 500 win in the No. 88 National Guard Chevrolet. In addition, Elliott will also don a replica-designed driver suit and Earnhardt’s signature skeleton gloves.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

GIVING TUESDAY – GIVE THE GIFT OF HELPING OTHERS!

Giving Tuesday is right around the corner! Created in 2012, it’s a day that encourages people to do good. This year, choose to give back to the Soldiers and Airmen of the National Guard who are struggling to make ends meet or recover from a natural disaster or other emergency. By donating to the National Guard Relief Foundation, you will give the gift of helping others in need.

People can show their generosity and support the National Guard Relief Foundation in a variety of ways on Giving Tuesday (or any day!) – whether it’s making a pledge through the Combined Federal Campaign (Code: 11859), purchasing a wreath to be placed on a Veteran’s gravesite on Wreaths Across America Day, driving donations from merchants/restaurants via participation in our Givebacks retail program, Rounding Up your purchase at Walmart, or making a donation on our website, every little bit helps and every act of generosity is appreciated!

Learn more about the National Guard Relief Foundation, check out all the other ways you can donate, or make a tax-deductible donation on our website at: www.eangus-wcfa.org. If you know a National Guard member in need of help, please refer them to our website where they can apply for an emergency relief grant or interest-free loan.

Please SHARE our mission and this message with others. By doing so, you can make a positive change in the lives of our National Guard members and their families. Thank you for your support!

Submissions are now being accepted for the 2024 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. 

ESGR’s awards program culminates with the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award (ESFA), the highest recognition given by the U.S. Government to employers for their outstanding support of employees serving in the Guard and Reserve. Each year, Guard and Reserve employees, or a family member acting on their behalf, have the opportunity to nominate their employer for the Employer Support Freedom Award. The ESGR State Committees review nominations and submit recommendations to advance to the next round in each of the three categories: small employer, large employer, and public sector. A National finalist board comprised of senior DoD officials and other stakeholders, may recommend to the Secretary of Defense up to 15 ESFAs to employers to receive the Secretary’s prestigious award.

Nominations are being accepted until December 31, 2023.

Click here to nominate an employer

The 2023 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award Recipients are as follows:

• American Bureau of Shipping, Spring, Texas (Army National Guard, Texas)
• CAM Superline, Waynesboro, Pennsylvania (Army National Guard, Pennsylvania)
• Consumers Energy, Jackson, Michigan, (Air National Guard, Michigan)
• E.L. Hollingworth and Co.   Flint, Michigan (Army National Guard, Michigan)
• East Bay Municipal Utilities District, Oakland, California (Navy Reserve, California)
• Exigo Corporation, Colorado Springs, Colorado (Air Force Reserve, Colorado)
• Fiserv, Inc., Brookfield, Wisconsin (Air National Guard, Wisconsin)
• Harris County Precinct 1 Constable Office, Houston, Texas (Army Reserve, Texas)
• Hickory Police Department Hickory, North Carolina (Army Reserve, North Carolina)
• King County  Seattle, Washington (Coast Guard Reserve, Washington)
• Knox County Public Schools, Knoxville, Tennessee (Army National Guard, Tennessee)
• Mechanical Resource Group, Nashville, Tennessee (Army National Guard, Tennessee)
• Ryzhka International, Fort Lauderdale, Florida (Army National Guard, Florida)
• UBS Financial Services, Inc. Weehawken, New Jersey (Navy Reserve, New Jersey)
• USA Truck, Van Buren, Arkansas (Army National Guard, Arkansas)

For more information about the Freedom Award, visit www.FreedomAward.mil. To learn more about ESGR, a program of the Defense Personnel and Family Support Office, visit www.ESGR.mil.

Every year, federal employees and retirees rally to support charities they choose through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). It’s amazing to see how giving a little out of each paycheck can add up to so much happiness when we all give together … and, studies show when you GIVE HAPPY, you get happy too! The 2024 CFC Charitable Giving Period began on September 1, 2023, and will run through January 15, 2024.

If you are a Federal employee, AGR or active military, or work for another employer who offers CFC payroll deduction, please consider selecting the EANGUS-WCFA National Guard Relief Foundation (Charity Code: 11859) as your charity of choice. Federal retirees also have an opportunity to support the causes they care about by giving through the CFC via a deduction from their annuity.

Established in 1992 by EANGUS, the National Guard Relief Foundation provides emergency relief grants and interest-free loans to currently serving National Guard Airmen and Soldiers of all ranks as well as honorably discharged and retired Guard members. The financial assistance provided by the Foundation helps National Guard members who have suffered a catastrophic loss or personal hardship, as well as those impacted by natural disasters. Please join us in our mission to support National Guard members and their families; your donation will be used to provide grants to those with a verified emergency need.

Please download, post, and share this year’s NGRF CFC Flyer

Sign up for payroll deduction or get more information about the Combined Federal Campaign HERE

Apply for assistance from the National Guard Relief Foundation or make a donation directly to the Foundation at: www.eangus-wcfa.org

The EANGUS We Care for America Foundation, also known as the National Guard Relief Foundation, is the 501c(3) charitable arm of EANGUS. WCFA-NGRF can provide emergency financial assistance (Grants and Interest-Free Loans) to the men and women of the National Guard and their families who have a verified emergency need. Assistance can be provided to currently serving, retired, and former Enlisted personnel and Officers/WOs who have experienced a financial emergency related to events such as mobilization, natural disasters, fires, catastrophic losses, or other hardships. Funds are intended to assist with rent/mortgage, utilities, groceries, medical expenses, relocation/moving expenses, shelter due to loss of residence, and funeral expenses. EANGUS membership is not required.

If you have an emergency and need assistance, the National Guard Relief Foundation is here to help.  Please review the NGRF Informational Flyer at the link below or go to: http://www.eangus-wcfa.org

WCFA NGRF Flyer 2023

THANK YOU!  On behalf of the WCFA-NGRF Foundation Board of Directors, we extend our sincere appreciation for all the donations made by our members and guests at the 52nd Annual EANGUS Conference, held in Rochester, MN from 13-17 August 2023, and at the NGAUS Conference in Reno, NV.   Based on your designation, 100% of these individual donations will be used to provide SARGE grants to National Guard families who have a financial emergency or to those who need Disaster Relief due to events such as the recent Maui Fires.  If you did not receive a receipt or letter acknowledging your donation at conference, please contact Bryan Birch in the EANGUS National Office at bbirch@eangus.org.

GIVE A LITTLE

MAKE A BIG IMPACT ON NATIONAL GUARD FAMILIES

If you would like to help us help other National Guard families, please review the options provided on the flyer (link below) or review the Other Ways to Donate page on our website at: https://eangus-wcfa.org/other-ways-to-donate/ You can also make a donation directly to WCFA-NGRF on our website at: https://eangus-wcfa.org/donation-3/

WCFA NGRF Info & Other Ways to Donate Flyer

Please feel free to share the flyer above with family, friends, co-workers and others, as well as the more detailed informational flyers (below) regarding the Foundation’s participation in several Giving Programs.

Givebacks Challenge Flyer

Walmart Sparkgood Round Up Flyer

Wreaths Across America Poster 2023

Guam continues to clean up after Typhoon Mawar slammed into the small Pacific island on May 24th. The estimated sustained winds of 140 mph destroyed homes, flipped cars and resulted in significant flooding. While members of the Guam National Guard responded to the widespread devastation, at least a dozen had their own homes destroyed and hundreds lost power, household goods, food and basic necessities.

The National Guard Relief Foundation has received over 400 requests for assistance at this time and we are working with the Guam Family Programs staff to help as many as possible.

If you would like to help, please make a ‘Disaster Relief’ donation at the link below – all those donations will be earmarked for our Guam National Guard families. Thank you!

www.eangus-wcfa.org/donation-3/

#Giving Tuesday is a day when people everywhere come together to do something to support the causes and communities that mean so much to all of us. The cause that means a lot to us here at EANGUS, is the WCFA National Guard Relief Foundation. Can we count on you to make a donation to the National Guard Relief Foundation on Giving Tuesday, November 29? Would you consider hosting a fundraiser in the month of November to support this cause that’s so important to us? Can you post our message on your social media today and/or email it to at least 10 other people? We appreciate your support — together, we can make a difference in the lives of National Guard members and families.

Donate on November 29th or anytime this month for #GivingTuesday, and see the other ways you can give and support the men and women of the National Guard at the link below.

DONATE: https://eangus-wcfa.org/donation-3/

OTHER WAYS TO GIVE: https://eangus-wcfa.org/other-ways-to-donate/

Thank you!