The Real McCoy, produced by the Fort McCoy Public Affairs Office, 100 E. Headquarters Road, Fort McCoy, Wis., is an authorized publication for members of the Department of the Army. All editorial content is prepared, edited, provided and approved by the Public Affairs Office. All photos are U.S. Army photos unless otherwise credited. Contents of The Real McCoy are not necessarily the views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army, or Fort McCoy. For reasons of security, the online version of The Real McCoy may not contain all articles appearing in the print version. Contact Fort McCoy Public Affairs by calling 608-388-2769 or at DSN 280-2769 or by sending email to usarmy.mccoy.id-readiness.list.pao-admin@mail.mil
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News Notes -- Jan. 14, 2022
Connect the Tots playgroup releases winter dates
The Connect the Tots fall playgroup meets most Tuesdays.
Playgroups are 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays through March 1 at The Army Community Service Family Building, 2161. Each playgroup features a theme.
The playgroup contains toys, books, and other materials to help strengthen each child’s cognitive, physical, and creative selves and to help promote social-emotional skill building.
Through play, transitions, circle time, songs and activities, and informal conversations, parents can learn about developmental ages and stages, gain tools to help understand their child’s behavior, and become empowered to prepare the family and child to enter school ready to learn.
For more information or to register for the group, call 608-388-2412 or email brittany.r.sonie.civ@mail.mil.
Red Cross blood drive planned for Jan. 19
The American Red Cross is hosting a blood drive Jan. 19 at Fort McCoy.
The blood drive is 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 19 at building 50, room 125. Appointments are preferred. Call 608-609-0385 or visit www.redcrossblood.org.
Red Cross has announced it’s facing a national blood crisis. Doctors have been forced to make difficult decisions about who receives transfusions and who will need to wait until more products become available. Blood and platelet donations are critically needed to help prevent further delays in vital medical treatments.
The Red Cross also continues to confront relentless issues due to the pandemic, including ongoing blood drive cancellations and staffing limitations. The Red Cross has experienced about a 10 percent decline in the number of people donating blood since the pandemic began.
As we kick off the new year, new blood collection challenges are just beginning as the nation faces the highest surge yet of COVID-19 cases, as well as winter weather across the country, compounding the dire blood inventory situation.
For more information, visit www.redcrossblood.org.
Rumpel Fitness Center offering free classes
Rumpel Fitness Center is currently offering free fitness classes.
Classes available are Body Blast from 3:30 to 4 p.m. Mondays, Abs from 11:30 a.m. to noon Wednesdays, and Cycling from 3:30 to 4 p.m. Thursdays. Preregistration at the front desk is required.
Call 608-388-2290 for more information.
24/7 access available at Rumpel Fitness Center
Rumpel Fitness Center offers 24/7 access.
Fitness equipment has been spaced 6 feet apart and the social distancing will be strongly enforced.
Patrons are expected to wipe down equipment before and after use. Limited equipment is available.
Masks will be required when entering and exiting the facility and while in the locker room. Masks do not have to be worn while exercising.
Advance registration is required. Call 608-388-2290 for more information.
Good grades pay with Exchange program
Good grades pay off at the Exchange! High-achieving students can score rewards each grading period and a chance to win a share of $4,000 in gift cards with the Army & Air Force Exchange Service’s You Made the Grade program.
The Army & Air Force Exchange Serviceis saluting military children who excel in the classroom.
The Exchange’s You Made the Grade program, now in its 22nd year, rewards academic excellence for students in first through 12th grades, including those who are home schooled.
Students who maintain a B average or higher are eligible to receive a $5 Exchange gift card each grading period during the 2021-22 school year.
Military students face unique challenges. According to the Department of Defense Education Activity, military children move six to nine times before graduating high school—three times more often than civilian children.
“Military life poses challenges that our youngest heroes consistently overcome,” said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Osby, the Exchange’s senior enlisted adviser.
“Military kids face multiple moves, new schools and parental deployments. The Exchange’s You Made the Grade program celebrates the resiliency of military students and rewards their hard work in the classroom.”
Students who make the grade qualify to enter a worldwide sweepstakes to win a $2,000, $1,500 or $500 Exchange gift card. Drawings are held in December and June. The most recent sweepstakes winners were from Travis Air Force Base, Fort Hood, and U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys.
To receive the $5 gift card, students can visit their local PX or BX customer service area and present a valid military ID with proof of a B average or higher.
To enter the You Made the Grade sweepstakes, students can complete the form on the back of the gift card reward sleeve and mail it to:
You Made the Grade
PO Box 227398
Dallas, TX 75222-7398
Students can submit one sweepstakes entry for each grading period.