FORT RUCKER, Ala. (June 11, 2015) -- Army Emergency Relief is all about Soldiers helping Soldiers, and Fort Rucker stepped up and did just that with this year's fundraising campaign.
The 2015 AER campaign season came to a close during a ceremony at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum, successfully raising $138,786.16 to go toward helping Soldiers, retirees and family members in times of need.
"This makes it possible for the mission of providing financial assistance to all of our Soldiers, retirees and family members, and this ceremony today is to celebrate the exceptional performance of those who have influenced the campaign this year," said Col. Stuart J. McRae, Fort Rucker garrison commander and AER campaign chairman. "Over the last three years, (Fort Rucker) has collectively raised over $400,000, and this is not a large post, so thank you guys very much. Please know that your dollar amounts count as it makes a difference in the lives of Soldiers, retirees and family members who have run into a hardship."
Taking care of those Soldiers and family members is a critical part of the wellness and strength of the Army and the nation, said Russell B. Hall, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker deputy to the commanding general, as he offered his gratitude to all who contributed.
"Today, the Army Emergency Relief program provides support for our Soldiers and their families reaching across the globe during times of hardship. I'm so thankful that our Army has stepped up to fill the void and fill the need for our warriors," he said. "I want to give a personal 'thank you' to everyone here today who has contributed your time and energy to participate in the Army Emergency Relief program. Without your dedication and your commitment, we would not be here."
During the campaign season, McRae said that enlisted Soldiers, who make up 41 percent of the military population on Fort Rucker, contributed 57 percent of the military donations. Additionally, the retiree population contributed more than $56,000, or 41 percent of the total funds raised.
"This makes me proud to know the impact that our enlisted folks have on giving back to our Soldiers, as well as the continued support provided by our retiree population," he said. "Amid these trying times, collecting contributions can be problematic and challenging, but it's during these tough economic times that you really see the benefits of this fundraising campaign."
Certificates of appreciation were given out to each unit that raised funds throughout the campaign season, and traveling challenge cups were awarded to the organizations with the most money raised per capita.
The cups were awarded in three categories: Fort Rucker primary military organization, which went to Air Traffic Service Command; Fort Rucker training organization, which went to the 1st Warrant Officer Company, Warrant Officer Career College; and the Directorate Challenge Cup, which went to the Fort Rucker Office of the Staff Judge Advocate.
"These cups are going to be in your organizations for this year and next year they will come back to be competed for, and every year the cup with have the name of the organization or unit on it," said McRae. "I hope that everybody next year really works hard to move this around the installation so that we continue to give greater and greater amounts to AER. Although this summer wraps up the three years I've had in command, this AER campaign every year has left me completely inspired."
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