The organizations’ combined forces collect critical funds for service members and their families.
WASHINGTON (November 29, 2023) — On November 28, commonly known as #GivingTuesday, the combined forces of Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS), Air Force Aid Society (AFAS), Army Emergency Relief (AER) and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) raised over $270,000 in #Battle4BraggingRights. For the second consecutive year, the campaign mission was to secure essential funds to provide service members and their families with vital emergency relief, financial support and educational resources.
“The enthusiasm for #Battle4BraggingRights was once again alive and well as we challenged ourselves, through a friendly competition among the four military aid societies, to raise as much as possible for our service members and their families,” said retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Robert R. Ruark, NMCRS president and CEO.
#Battle4BraggingRights unfolded across social media platforms. Supporters were encouraged to visit Battle4BraggingRights.com and allocate their contributions to one of the four military aid societies. While the competition for which aid society could raise the most money was friendly, the people who the aid societies serve are the real winners.
“People really came out on Tuesday to support #Battle4BraggingRights, and these much-needed funds will allow us to continue programs and services that are vital to military personnel and veterans worldwide,” said former U.S. Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt. Kristina McBride, acting CEO for AFAS.
“I’m so proud of the Joint Force in supporting our second-annual #Battle4BraggingRights campaign to show a unity of effort. All of our donors are the absolute best in making this repeat event a great success!” said retired U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. Cari Thomas, CEO of CGMA.
For the second year, Lockheed Martin, a global security and aerospace company, generously donated $1 million during #Battle4BraggingRights on #GivingTuesday. This substantial matching pledge made the grand total for amount raised at over $1.25 million.
Commencing in 2012 as a Global Day of Giving, #GivingTuesday has galvanized countless individuals to rally behind their cherished causes.