From left, Chuck Matthews, Army Community Services Financial Readiness program manager and Army Emergency Relief officer; Kristina Stump, Army Community Services AER specialist; Megan Moran, Army Community Services AER specialist; and Capt. Bentley Juste, AER campaign coordinator, pause for a photo with the AER goal tracker while updating the total for the 2025 campaign. For the fifth year, Fort Leonard Wood’s Army Emergency Relief campaign is No. 1 in the Army and the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command.

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — For the fifth year, Fort Leonard Wood’s Army Emergency Relief campaign is No. 1 in the Army and the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, garrison officials announced July 1.

“We’re proud to announce that the Soldiers of Fort Leonard Wood raised $277,317 in donations for the 2025 AER campaign, breaking our goal to raise $250,000 for the Army’s 250th birthday,” said Chuck Matthews, Army Community Services Financial Readiness program manager. “This also places Fort Leonard Wood as the No. 1 campaign in the Army and TRADOC for the fifth year, clinching our quest for a 'five-peat' as the No. 1 campaign.

“Thank you, Fort Leonard Wood, we couldn’t have done it without you. Together, we made it happen.”

The campaign officially kicked off March 5, with Fort Leonard Wood senior leaders signing the first pledges, followed by several months of the AER team’s commitment to promoting the campaign, which yielded significant results, according to Matthews.

“Over the past three months, we’ve witnessed incredible generosity and dedication from across our community – from small, heartfelt gifts to major contributions, to tireless efforts to help Soldiers – all adding up to a truly remarkable campaign season,” Matthews said.

The team also educated the community on the benefits of AER.

“The campaign wasn’t just about raising dollars – it was about ensuring that all our service members are educated on the benefits and services of AER and how they can get help when they need financial assistance,” Matthews said. “Every donor, volunteer, and supporter played a part in bringing our mission to life. Whether you gave financially, shared our message, or lent your time and talents, we are deeply grateful.”

And it wasn’t just Soldiers who donated to the campaign.

“We had support from retirees, civilian employees, and a special donation from the Salem, Missouri Veterans of Foreign Wars, bringing the campaign total to $318,754 raised,” he said.

AER is a non-profit agency established in 1942 to serve the Army community with emergency financial assistance when situations arise for Soldiers and their families that are unforeseen.

“AER is all about teams and making a difference,” said Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general, during the campaign kickoff, March 5. “It’s really important that everybody understands what AER is, because AER goes right back to us.”

In 2024, AER Fort Leonard Wood helped 503 Soldiers with $829,600 in assistance and another $122,000 in scholarships to 36 spouses and children. Army wide, AER helped 36,000 Soldiers with $53 million in assistance, and another $9 million in educational scholarships to spouses and children.

For more information about Fort Leonard Wood’s AER program, contact Army Community Service at 573.596.0212 or visit their website (https://leonardwood.armymwr.com/programs/army-community-services).