San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/03/2014 -- STEP (Support the Enlisted Project) kicks off their annual holiday fundraising campaign for military service members and recently discharged veterans in crisis, with an immediate appeal for cash donations and grants. The monies received will help get military personnel on their feet again with dignity and respect.

There are approximately 117,000 active personnel in San Diego and about 85,000 of these are junior enlisted in the lowest six pay grades as E1-E6. Of these, 50,000 are considered low income by HUD, and 30,000 of them regularly rely on food assistance. STEP provides financial counseling to these individuals so they can manage their money smarter and thrive in the future. When a family goes through the STEP program they are given an assistance grant that pays their debts, giving them a fresh start and a clear path to future financial self- sufficiency.

In the past 12 months, STEP granted $386,000 to our military community, which included preventing 107 utility disconnections, 104 auto repossessions and 82 housing evictions along with providing over 257 families with two weeks of food. This is the 9th year in a row of the campaign and the public is encouraged to call 858-695-6810 to make a donation now or give online by visiting http://www.STEPsocal.org

"Helping these great young men and women and their families who have nowhere else to turn is the right thing to do and for me, a passion!" Terry Magee, CAPT USN (RET). STEP President, Tony Teravainen, says, "On behalf of San Diego's military families, I encourage you to reflect this holiday season on those in need and give a small amount to military families who willingly sacrifice their lives every day to maintain our freedoms."

About STEP
Support The Enlisted Project (STEP) provides emergency assistance from its offices in San Diego and Santa Anna to eligible active duty service members, those whom have been honorably discharged for 18 months or less, and their families residing in the Southern California counties of San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Imperial.

Visit at http://www.STEPsocal.org