Fort Knox AER increases goal in 2026 campaign

By Eric PilgrimMarch 6, 2026

Fort Knox AER increases goal in 2026 campaign
Fort Knox AER representatives gathered at Houston Bowling Center March 5, 2026, to launch this year’s donation campaign with encouragement and friendly competition. Unsurprisingly HRC again won the bowling match. (Photo Credit: Eric Pilgrim) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT KNOX, Ky. — Several Army Emergency Relief campaign unit representatives from across Fort Knox met at Houston Bowling Center March 5 to settle a score.

In the spirit of competition, they hoped to topple U.S. Army Human Resources Command’s dominance at bowling – and at soliciting donations for AER.

“HRC won both competitions last year,” said Alison Dupont, Financial Readiness specialist at Army Community Service.

Fort Knox AER increases goal in 2026 campaign
Sergeant Maj. Timothy McKay, Fort Knox Directorate of Emergency Services senior enlisted advisor, shares information with the AER representatives and encourages them to reach every Soldier and civilian in their units with donation requests. (Photo Credit: Eric Pilgrim) VIEW ORIGINAL

She admitted, however, that what AER received compared with what AER gave to Soldiers in 2025 seemed a much loftier goal for everyone.

“We received $77,000 last year, and we assisted with $447,000 in support,” she said. “We gave in assistance almost six times what we got in donations.”

Representatives’ goals this year are much the same – to make 100% of the Fort Knox military community aware of the needs and for at least 20% of the Soldiers in each unit to donate. The overall goal for the installation is to raise at least $70,000 during the campaign period, from March 1 to June 14.

Fort Knox AER increases goal in 2026 campaign
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Fort Knox Army Emergency Relief specialist Robert Maxwell stands behind a sign-in table at Houston Bowling Center to greet AER representatives from all the major commands at Fort Knox. He offered brochures and even bottled water that depict various ways to donate. (Photo Credit: Eric Pilgrim) VIEW ORIGINAL
Fort Knox AER increases goal in 2026 campaign
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Army Emergency Relief offers an online portal and app to make requests for assistance easier than ever. Soldiers can also give directly by visiting their representatives. (Photo Credit: Eric Pilgrim) VIEW ORIGINAL
Fort Knox AER increases goal in 2026 campaign
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Army Emergency Relief offers an online portal and app to make requests for assistance easier than ever. Soldiers can also give directly by visiting their representatives. (Photo Credit: Eric Pilgrim) VIEW ORIGINAL

As for dethroning HRC in bowling, the other units fell short -- again. The campaign results will have to wait until the Army celebrates its 251st birthday.

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