Fort Wainwright Exchange shopper Beth Ann Campbell picks up her layaway purchase on April 2. Campbell is one of 132 Exchange shoppers whose layaways were paid in full March 30 by nonprofit Pay Away the Layaway.
DALLAS – The Army & Air Force Exchange Service helped supercharge 132 military shoppers’ spring with a major surprise: their Exchange layaway balances had been paid in full.
Shoppers from Forts Bragg, Campbell, Knox and Scott and Wright-Patterson Air Force Bases were joined a March 30 Zoom call for the big reveal. The paid-off layaways totaled nearly $40,000.
“It was a big surprise and something that really touched me,” said Fort Knox Exchange shopper and military retiree spouse Ophelia McLaurin, who had baby clothes on layaway for her granddaughter. “I think it’s wonderful to give this gift to people for no reason other than just to bring them joy, especially after the previous year we all went through.”
The shoppers’ layaway balances were paid off by nonprofit Pay Away the Layaway, who received a donation for military shoppers from NBA basketball star Gordon Hayward.
“Last year was very challenging for Warfighters and their families, and we’re all looking forward to things turning around in 2021,” said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Osby, Exchange senior enlisted advisor. “We hope this surprise is just the beginning of more good things to come for you all this year.”
Facebook-friendly version: More than 130 lucky Army & Air Force Exchange Service shoppers got a big surprise March 30: Their layaway balances, totaling nearly $40,000, had been paid in full. Read more: https://wp.me/p9Q7PG-1Gl.
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Since 1895, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (Exchange) has gone where Soldiers, Airmen and their families go to improve the quality of their lives by providing valued goods and services at exclusive military pricing. The Exchange is the 61st-largest retailer in the United States. Its earnings provided $2.2 billion in dividends to support military morale, welfare and recreation programs over the last 10 years. The Exchange is a non-appropriated fund entity of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors. The Exchange is a 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemorative Partner, planning and conducting events and activities that recognize the service, valor and sacrifice of Vietnam Veterans and their families in conjunction with the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our website at http://www.shopmyexchange.com or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ExchangePAO.
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Media Notes:
For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Conner Hammett, 214-312-2714 or [email protected].
Follow the Exchange:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/shopmyexchange
Twitter: https://twitter.com/shopmyexchange
Instagram: @shopmyexchange