Fort Bragg’s Army Community Service is preparing to celebrate a remarkable milestone: 60 years of dedicated support to military families. To mark the occasion, ACS is inviting the community to a special Birthday Bash on Saturday, July 26, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Soldier Support Center on Normandy Drive at Fort Bragg.
The event is free and open to all Department of Defense ID cardholders. It will feature games, live entertainment, food trucks, community resource booths, and one of the most anticipated elements of the celebration, a backpack giveaway for school-aged children.
“The Army Community Service Backyard Birthday Bash is back again,” said Audra Satterlee with ACS. “We’ll be there with our friends at Fort Bragg ACS celebrating their 60 years of service to our military community with tons of family games and fun activities, live radio, lots of great prizes and so much more! The first 1,200 school-aged children in attendance will receive a free backpack to fill with free school supplies, summer safety and prevention resources and more! Guests must have DoD ID card and children must be present to receive backpacks and other fun stuff.”
The celebration is more than just a party; it reflects the legacy of ACS and its evolving role in supporting the readiness and resilience of the military community. Since its founding in 1965, ACS has expanded far beyond its original mission, becoming a central resource for military families navigating everything from deployments and relocations to financial planning and wellness.
“The backpack giveaway is just one event where Army Community Service reaches out to military families,” said April Olsen, Fort Bragg Public Affairs Office. “For 60 years, ACS has offered a number of events and programs to help families build and maintain readiness and resiliency. ACS programs include educational opportunities, counseling services, financial readiness classes, the Exceptional Family Member Program, the Relocation Program, and many, many more. ACS services and programs are open to DoD ID cardholders, active duty and families, veterans, wounded warriors, and survivors.”
Throughout the morning, families will be able to visit booths featuring various ACS programs and partner organizations. These booths will offer resources on topics such as family advocacy, employment readiness, child safety, and emergency planning. Staff will be available to explain services, answer questions, and connect families to support networks.
The indoor portion of the event will take place on the third floor of the Soldier Support Center, offering an air-conditioned space for guests to engage with services and enjoy games and activities. Outside, families can participate in water games, music, and interactive entertainment suitable for all ages. Food vendors will be on hand to provide refreshments.
The timing of the event, just before the new school year begins, makes the backpack giveaway especially meaningful. The items provided will help ease the burden for families preparing for the back-to-school season, while also introducing them to helpful safety tips and educational resources. Children must be present with an adult to receive a backpack.
In addition to the family fun, the ACS 60th Birthday Bash underscores the broader impact ACS continues to have across the military landscape. Whether helping Soldiers transition into civilian life, supporting spouses in finding employment, or providing vital assistance to wounded warriors and survivors, ACS remains a key player in the well-being of the Fort Bragg community.
As families enjoy games and giveaways, organizers hope the celebration will also remind guests of the wealth of services available to them year-round, many of which go unnoticed or underutilized.
“More information on ACS programs can be found on the website https://bragg.armymwr.com/programs/acs or by calling 910-396-8682/8683,” Olsen added.
As ACS celebrates this significant milestone, the Birthday Bash stands as both a thank-you to the military families it serves and a recommitment to the values that have guided its mission for six decades: support, connection, and community.

(Photo: Fort Bragg families gather for the Fort Bragg Army Community Service's Backyard Birthday Bash in 2024.)