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 -- March 25, 2022
Blood drive planned for March 30
The American Red Cross is hosting a blood drive March 30 in building 50.
The blood supply remains vulnerable. Individuals are urged to schedule a blood or platelet donation to help ensure patients can receive the care they need.
Appointments are preferred and can be made online at redcrossblood.org or through the American Red Cross blood donor app. Use the sponsor code “armystrong.” Appointments can also be made by calling 608-609-0385. Walk-ins will be accepted the day of the drive, but wait times may vary.
Bird feeder, house workshops scheduled throughout April
Build-your-own bird feeder and birdhouse workshops will be hosted throughout April at the Army Community Service Workshop, building 1133.
Step into spring by creating a bird house the whole family can enjoy over the spring and summer months.
ACS will provide a wood bird house kit to put together and personalize by painting or adding decorations.
Workshops are 4 to 6:30 p.m. April 5, 7, 12, and 21. All materials are provided. Space is limited, and children must be accompanied by an adult.
ACS events are open to service members, family members, civilian workers, retirees, and registered Fort McCoy volunteers. To register, call 608-388-3505.
AER annual campaign runs through May 15
The Army Emergency Relief (AER) campaign runs annually from March 1 to May 15, according to the AER webpage, www.armyemergencyrelief.org. AER helps provide emergency financial funds for food, rent, funeral expenses, emergency medical expenses, and other needs.
Contributions to AER help active-duty Soldiers (single and married) and their families, retirees and their family members, and surviving spouses or orphans of Soldiers who died while on active duty or after they retired.
On the AER website, AER Chairman, retired Army Gen. John F. Campbell, states the importance of AER and of supporting it. “Army Emergency Relief has always been an important tool for commanders,” Campbell is quoted on the page.
“In my nearly 40 years of service, I repeatedly witnessed the impact Army leaders had on their Soldiers’ lives by sending them to their AER office for financial assistance. AER provided $70 million in loans and grants to 40,000 Soldiers and families in 2019. This incredible amount of assistance was possible due to the support of our generous donors. Since our founding in 1942, this organization has relied on the camaraderie and generosity that exists between our men and women in uniform.”
If you are an active-duty service member or retiree, consider donating to the campaign by contacting your AER unit representative or stopping by building 2111.
Exchange honored for hiring vets, military spouses
The Army & Air Force Exchange Service has been recognized for its dedication to employing Veterans and members of the military community by VETS Indexes for the second consecutive year.
The Exchange received a 4-Star Employer Award for its commitment to recruiting, hiring, retaining, developing and supporting veterans , military spouses, reservists, and National Guard members.
“The unique talents and passion veterans and military spouses bring to serving military shoppers at the Exchange is unparalleled,” said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Osby, the Exchange’s senior enlisted adviser. “We are honored to count thousands of Veterans and military spouses among our ranks—we could not do what we do without them.”
About 45 percent of the Exchange’s U.S. workforce is made up of veterans, military spouses, and dependents. The Exchange has hired more than 50,000 veterans and military spouses since 2013 and plans to hire an additional 25,000 over the next five years. Veterans and spouses receive hiring preferences at the Exchange, the Department of Defense’s largest retailer. The associate transfer program lets military spouses continue their own careers with the Exchange when their Soldier, Airman, or Guardian changes duty station.
This is the second year in a row the Exchange has been recognized in the VETS Indexes Employer Awards, which began in 2021. VETS Indexes is an independent firm that promotes employment for Veterans and members of the military community. The 2022 Employer Awards are based on:
• veteran job candidate recruiting and hiring.
• veteran employee development and retention.
• veteran-inclusive company policies and culture.
• support for members of the National Guard and Reserves.
• military spouse/family support.
Veterans, military spouses, and others who want to start their careers with the Exchange can visitApplyMyExchange.com for a list of job openings worldwide.
Next issue of The Real McCoy
The next edition of The Real McCoy will be published April 8. Previous issues of the paper can be found online at https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/FMPAO or https://home.army.mil/mccoy/.
The deadline for submissions or article ideas is March 30. For more information, call 608-288-4128.