Washington, DC – On Veteran's Day, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) commended the establishment of the Armed Forces Relief Trust (AFRT), a new umbrella organization dedicated to providing assistance to our troops and their families.

"The Armed Forces Relief Trust has been formed to address the escalating needs of American troops and their families. This Trust provides assistance in many way - from giving special medical attention to a pilot's expectant spouse to helping a soldier gather airfare to fly home for his father's funeral," Senator Feinstein said.

Four Military Aid Societies - Air Force Aid Society, Army Emergency Relief, Coast Guard Mutual Assistance, and Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society have united to create the Armed Forces Relief Trust. AFRT is a single, non-profit fund which collects and disburses donations to support troops and their families in need.

"We have roughly 140,000 troops now stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as thousands of additional soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines deployed around the globe" Feinstein said. "The military is very dedicated to caring for its own, yet extended deployments can be financially trying for military families."

Last year, the four Military Aid Societies, which make up the Armed Forces Relief Trust, disbursed more than $109 million in interest-free loans and grants to 145,000 individuals and families in need. "I am confident this important program will provide great relief to our troops and their families as a single, streamlined organization, with the support of local broadcast stations," Feinstein said.

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