Shane Dunlevy, left, Fort Sill MWR Community Recreation chief, and Andrea Brown, far right, NAF Support Division chief, stand with reps from the Billingsley Family of Dealerships, at Sponsor Appreciation Night March 19, 2021, at the Patriot Club. Commercial sponsors and advertisers provided over $100,000 to the Fort Sill community during 2020.

Col. Rhett Taylor, Fort Sill Garrison commander, thanks a local businessman during the Fort Sill MWR Sponsor Appreciation Night March 19, 2021, at the Patriot Club.

Fort Sill Garrison Commander Col. Rhett Taylor thanks sponsors and advertisers for their support March 19, 2021, at the Patriot Club. He said their efforts improved the quality of life and morale for service members, military families and retirees during the pandemic.

The Fort Sill Garrison command team, along with Beverly Burgess, far left, MWR Commercial Sponsorship and Advertising director, stand with business representatives at Sponsor Appreciation Night March 19, 2021, at the Patriot Club. Commercial sponsors and advertisers provided over $100,000 to the Fort Sill community during 2020.

FORT SILL, Oklahoma (March 25, 2021) -- When the Fort Sill Federal Credit began here in 1956, its mission was to support Soldiers and their families. It continues that mission today not only with financial services, but as a commercial sponsor for Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) events and programs.

Credit union representatives were among those accepting recognition for their organizations at the annual MWR Sponsor Appreciation Night March 19 at the Patriot Club.

They were honored for fiscal year 2020, with framed certificates of appreciation handed out by post leaders, with brigade command teams looking on.

“It’s very important to support our troops at this installation, they are our backbone,” said Brett Looper, Fort Sill Federal Credit Union Marketing and Business Development coordinator. “If Fort Sill didn’t exist, we would never exist.”

The credit union’s ventures include its staff volunteering at the Fort Sill USO serving meals, sponsoring events at the golf course, and more, Looper said.

In his invocation, Chaplain (Maj.) Jerrod Glenn, 30th Air Defense Artillery Brigade chaplain, said: “Oh, mighty God … this truly is a win-win combination to partner with businesses for the benefit of Soldiers, family members, and the Lawton Fort Sill team at large.”

Ceremony host Beverly Burgess, MWR Commercial Sponsorship and Advertising director, said sponsorship and advertising venues assist the entire 49 MWR programs, such as the Linen Closet, which provides household items for newly arriving families.

The sponsorship value from last year was over $100,000.

Commercial sponsorship enhances the quality of life for service members, families, and retirees in the Lawton Fort Sill community. She noted that sponsorship was slightly down this year because of the pandemic, which created event restrictions. “Still, we are so blessed to have the sponsors and receive their support.”

Shane Dunlevy, MWR Community Recreation officer, said despite the pandemic MWR was still able to hold several events last year directly as a result of sponsorship. “We can’t thank you enough.”

Keynote speaker Fort Sill Garrison Commander Col. Rhett Taylor said people remain the Army’s number one priority.

“That couldn’t be more true as we try to deal with COVID and at the same time provide events that cater to our Soldiers and our families to help with their morale and mental well-being,” Taylor said.

“Many of the events could not have happened without you. Thank you for all that you do for our Soldiers and families,” the colonel said. “And, it’s not just these events, you do much throughout the year.”

During the recognition, Taylor and Command Sgt. Maj. Russell Blackwell, garrison CSM, presented company representatives with certificates of appreciation.

TownSquare Media was recognized, and Brenda Graves, account executive, was there to accept the award. She said TownSquare Media has been sponsoring events on post for over 20 years.

Some of the events they have sponsored include Armed Forces Day, July Fourth festivities, concerts, 5K runs, and Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Area (LETRA) events, Graves said.

Why does TownSquare Media sponsor events?

“Community is everything,” Graves said. “We are very supportive of our community, and Fort Sill is a large part of that.”

Patriot Level Sponsors $5,000+ (listed alphabetically)

  • Corvias
  • First Command Financial Services
  • Fort Sill Federal Credit Union
  • Geico
  • Hilliary Communications
  • Legend Driven
  • Toyota of Lawton
  • USAA

Platinum Level $2,500 to $4,999

  • 5-Star Nutrition
  • Billingsley Family of Dealerships
  • Nammo Talley
  • Raytheon Company
  • Upper Iowa University

Gold Level $1,500 to $2,499

  • Edward’s Men’s Wear
  • Golden Corral
  • IHG
  • Madigan’s Lawn Care
  • Pam & Barry’s Team @ REMAX
  • Southwest Sales,
  • Coors
  • TownSquare Media
  • Trail of Fear
  • Whataburger

Silver Level $600 to $1,499

  • AT&T
  • Teeze

Bronze Level up to $599

  • Air Force Reserve
  • Country Mart
  • Perimeter Healthcare
  • Sprint