December 23, 2023— The Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Fort Leonard Wood Mid-Missouri Chapter teamed up with the Fort Leonard Wood Blood Donor Center in 2022 to recognize units and organizations of excellence in supporting the Armed Services Blood Program through donations. The program is set up as the 100 Donor Club and provides an AUSA Giving4Living streamer to the unit as well as the unit name and date engraved on a large plaque in the donor center facility reception area.

In 2023, 14 units were recognized for their achievement in becoming 100 donor club members throughout the year as their unit provided over 100 eligible donors in one day. “Blood isn’t something you think about until ‘someday’ when an injury or illness strikes,” said Paul Newman, Fort Leonard Wood Blood Donor Center technical supervisor. The basic training units provide an essential service for the blood program to accomplish their mission. Each of these 14 units were presented with a Giving4Living streamer by the Blood Donor Center and an AUSA Chapter representative.

“By supporting the donor center, our Chapter is providing significant impact by creating awareness starting at the lowest level of our Army and encouraging compassion for their fellow Soldier,” said Brittany Raines, AUSA Chapter Board Member.

Army 1st Sgt. Luis Ventura, First Sergeant of Charlie Company, 787th Military Police Battalion, was proud to watch Soldiers giving back. “This award shows me I have a team of Soldiers who are empathetic to the needs of others and understand what it means to provide for those in need.”

The calendar year 100 Donor Club yielded over 1,600 units of blood; providing enough blood supply to every Soldier in one average size Army brigade and saving the government nearly half a million dollars.

The Fort Leonard Wood Blood Donor Center collects blood for the Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP), the official blood product provider for the Department of Defense. Collected blood may travel across the globe to aide those deployed or to nearby military hospitals.

While Soldiers are home for the holidays, the center remains open and in need of blood donations through the season. Anyone who has access to Fort Leonard Wood can donate. Potential donors need to weigh at least 116 pounds, be at least 17 years old and feeling well. They will need to bring a photo ID to check in.