Between March 2004 and December 2009, the N.D. National Guard Emergency Relief Fund made 78 grants for a total of $133,420, said Amy Wieser Willson, Fargo, deputy public information officer with the N.D. National Guard.
Another program, N.D. Tragedy Assistance Program, or TAPS, supports those who have lost a loved one serving in the Armed Forces, and since 2005, has sent 57 family members to the national TAPS seminar, an annual event in Washington, D.C., Wieser Willson said.
"Many have attended at least twice, which brings the total number of trips to 96," she said. She said the number of participants from N.D. for each year are: 2005 4; 2006 11; 2007 29; 2008 30; and 2009 22.
People might not be aware the N.D. National Guard has these programs to help Guard members and their families directly in this state. One of the programs also helps families of other military branches.
The N.D. National Guard Emergency Relief Fund, often referred to as ERF, and the N.D. Tragedy Assistance Program are operated by the N.D. National Guard Foundation, a non-profit charitable organization headed by N.D. National Guard adjutant general Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk.
"While our service members benefit from numerous groups that donate their time and gifts from churches to family groups to organizations these are among the ones that have had the biggest direct impact throughout the year," Wieser Willson said.
"ERF helps Guardsmen who are currently serving, as well as their family members, and TAPS provides services to those who have lost a loved one in the military, whether National Guard, reserves or active duty," she said.
The N.D. National Guard Emergency Relief Fund provides financial support in sudden and unforeseen emergency situations, such as natural disasters, accident, illness, fire or theft to the more than 4,300 N.D. National Guard members and their families during times of need.
N.D.-TAPS supports the national TAPS initiative and provides services to those who have lost a loved one serving in the Armed Forces. The funds are used to cover transportation costs for families of fallen heroes to travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in the annual national TAPS program.
For more information, which includes details about donating to the programs online, visit (www.ndguard.com/family/default.asp?ID=715). Donations can also be sent to the N.D. National Guard Foundation, P.O. Box 5511, Bismarck, ND 58506. People should designate if the donation is for the emergency relief fund or N.D.-TAPS. For more information, people can call the Foundation at 333-2012.
