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LOWELL - The first state chapter of a group that helps out families of service men and women will open in Arkansas.

The Armed Forces Foundation is a Washington-based non-profit organization that helps families of serving member of the armed forces and veterans to navigate the programs provided by federal agencies and other groups, and tries to fill in the gaps between them.

The groups does what it can, from help with travel expenses so veteran families can go to Washington to be awarded medals or visit wounded loved ones to building two homes so far for veterans who are triple amputees, said Anthony Guglielmi, deputy director of the group. Guglielmi joined 3rd District Rep. John Boozman, R-Rogers, state chapter president Bill Adams of Rogers and members of the new chapter's board for a news conference Wednesday at the congressman's office in Lowell.

Adams said the group would set up contacts throughout the state so as many service families as possible will have a local number to call. The first numbers will be announced within a week, he said. He's available at his cell-phone number at 531-9676.

Arkansas is the first state to open a chapter "because they're the first state that asked," Guglielmi said. The group's goal is that no more than 4 percent of any money raised by or donated to the group are spent on administration. The national group received $3 million in donations last year and spent 96.4 percent of directly upon family needs and assistance, Guglielmi said.

"I am proud to be affiliated with the Armed Forces Foundation and strongly support its efforts to assist the men and women who serve in America's military, their families and our nation's veterans," Boozman said.