Army Emergency Relief | July 29, 2024
Retired Sgt. Maj. of the Army Tony Grinston, Army Emergency Relief CEO, announced the three garrisons who the highest participation rates in the annual campaign.
For the fourth year in a row, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, was the top medium installation, leading fundraising efforts across the U.S. Army during the 2024 AER Annual Campaign. The campaign raised more than $3.1 million through donations from Soldiers, retired Soldiers and generous supporters, including those who gave at Army & Air Force Exchange registers. Fort Sill, Oklahoma, was the top big installation and Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, was the top small installation.
Garrisons are categorized by active-duty Soldier populations at each installation: small with 1,000 to 2,000; medium with 2,000 to 10,000 and large with 10,000 and more. Fort Sill had 31.4% percent of its active-duty force donate, Fort Leonard Wood had 98.3% and Redstone Arsenal had 52.8% participation.
Grinston and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer are set to present awards to the three garrisons during the Association of the U.S. Army Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, D.C.
The competition is based on the yearly AER Annual Campaign, which started March 1 and ended on June 14, the Army’s birthday. The campaign has several goals: ensure every Soldier is fully aware of the AER assistance available to them and is offered an opportunity to donate.
This is the fourth year the U.S. Army’s official nonprofit has recognized top-performing installations. Last year’s winners were U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden, Germany; Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; and Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in the small, medium and large categories, respectively.
Money raised during the annual campaign, including donations at Exchange registers, will directly fund grants, interest-free loans and scholarships to promote readiness and help relieve financial distress of Soldiers and their Families.
RELATED NEWS:
- Fort Sill wins AER award for 2nd year, raises $211K for Soldiers
- Fort Leonard Wood’s 2024 AER donation campaign is Army’s best
Maj. Gen. Phil Brooks and Command Sgt. Maj. Neil Sartain, Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill command team, affix a 2024 AER Campaign streamer to a unit guidon July 1, 2024. The installation’s top company/battery, battalion and brigade received streamers for their work. (Fort Sill Public Affairs Office photo)
Soldiers of Company D, 554th Engineer Battalion at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, line up to donate to Army Emergency Relief on March 25, 2024. More than 98% of the active-duty Soldier population at Fort Leonard Wood donated during the 2024 AER Annual Campaign, making it the top large installation. (554th Engineer Battalion photo)