The nation's four military aid societies are once again collaborating on #GivingTuesday to raise critical funds to help active duty service members and their families.
The fundraising effort, now in its fourth year, will help Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, (NMCRS), Air Force Aid Society, (AFAS) Army Emergency Relief, (AER), and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) to be further prepared to support active duty service members into the New Year and beyond, said NMCRS President and CEO retired Marine Lt. Gen. Robert R. Ruark.
“It has a one-day goal to support active duty service members and family members with vital emergency relief, financial assistance and education resources,” he said.
In 2024, the effort raised $1.3 million. Lockheed Martin will again this year match every gift made on #GivingTuesday, up to $1 million.
The recent government shutdown, combined with the holidays, could have long-term impacts, and that’s why it is especially important that this year’s #GivingTuesday efforts are successful, said Ruark.
“These are the soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, coast guardsmen that defend this nation every day,” he said. “They are deployed around the world, whether it’s peacetime or potential conflict.”
Ruark said payroll protection plans offered by banks such as USAA and Navy Federal Credit Union ensured that a large portion of their service members' paychecks were covered during the shutdown. Even with that, he said NMCRS took millions out of its reserves to provide financial assistance to Marines and sailors impacted by the shutdown.
“I think the big thing we’re doing here is recognizing military life provides significant challenges,” he said.
This year’s campaign theme is #MakeGivingYourSuperpower and will be conducted on social media. The theme was chosen as a challenge to Americans to step up, suit up, and make giving their superpower for those who serve the country every day.
“We’re a joint force, we fight together, we deploy together, we train together,” Ruark said. “We’re exponentially better when we work together.”
Visit here to contribute to one of the societies on Dec. 2.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.