AUSA starts victims' relief fund Posted On: Friday, Nov. 6 2009 05:07 AM By Mason W. Canales
Killeen Daily Herald

The local Association of the United States Army chapter started asking for funds Thursday night to help with the upcoming needs of those affected by Thursday's mass shooting at Fort Hood.

Those who want to help support the victims and the families of the mass shooting can donate to the Central Texas-Fort Hood Chapter AUSA fund, stated a news release from the organization. Donors may send a check to the organization and mark it "Community Response to 11/5."

"Everyone knew they wanted to do something but they didn't know what," former chapter president Ralph Gauer said. "What can we do that would be helpful, the first thing is to stay out of the way. The second, we can be assured that there could be unmet needs because of this."

The money collected through this fund will go to meeting those unmet needs, Gauer said. AUSA works closely with Fort Hood and together they will determine how to spend the money to support those in need.

"There is no overhead of this program; every penny of every dollar will go to this fund," Gauer said.

The Fort Hood AUSA chapter has given more than $1.9 million to Fort Hood since July 2007, Gauer said.

The organization gives money to every department and unit at Fort Hood. It supplies funds for deployment ceremonies, homecoming ceremonies, wounded soldier programs and more.

"We are going to do everything that we can with the resources we have to help the families and victims of the shooting," Gauer said.

Contact Mason W. Canales at mcanales@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7554.

How to donate to AUSA's fund

Make checks payable to:

The Central Texas-Fort Hood Association of the U.S. Army

Attn.: Community Response to 11/5

P.O. Box 10700

Killeen, TX 76547-0700

On the check, write "Community Response to 11/5" in the memo line.

For more information, e-mail AUSA at Leadership@forthoodausa.org.