{"id":5995,"date":"2020-11-10T20:10:23","date_gmt":"2020-11-10T20:10:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/ExchangePost\/?p=5995"},"modified":"2020-11-10T20:10:23","modified_gmt":"2020-11-10T20:10:23","slug":"service-members-families-can-lean-on-military-relief-funds-in-times-of-crisis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/ExchangePost\/2020\/11\/10\/service-members-families-can-lean-on-military-relief-funds-in-times-of-crisis\/","title":{"rendered":"Service Members, Families Can Lean on Military Relief Funds in Times of Crisis"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Service
Service members affected by the COVID-19 pandemic can count on Army Emergency Relief (AER) and the Air Force Assistance Fund (AFAF) for critical assistance during these unprecedented times.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

DALLAS \u2013 <\/strong>Since 2017, Army & Air Force Exchange Service shoppers have donated nearly $2.46 million to Army Emergency Relief (AER) and the Air Force Assistance Fund (AFAF)<\/a>, a partnership that has taken on even greater importance during the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis has been an exceptionally difficult year for our military community, but some have been hit harder than others,\u201d said Exchange Director\/CEO Tom Shull. \u201cMaking a contribution to AFAF or AER is more appreciated than ever as the necessity for support increases.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since 1942, AER has provided nearly 4 million Soldiers $2 billion in assistance, including $1 billion since 9\/11. Through zero-interest loans, grants and educational scholarships, AER ensures no Soldier faces financial hardship on their own. For more information, visit https:\/\/www.aerhq.org\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

AFAF raises funds for the charities that provide support to the Department of the Air Force military members in need, including active duty, retirees, Reservists, Guard members, as well as their dependents and surviving spouses. Since 1974, AFAF has raised over $237 million to provide emergency assistance, educational support, on-base community programs and housing assistance to the Department of Air Force families. To learn more about AFAF and its charities, visit https:\/\/www.afassistancefund.org\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Exchange gives shoppers the opportunity to donate to AER or AFAF every time they make a purchase in stores or online at ShopMyExchange.com<\/a>. The Exchange also connects shoppers with the organizations\u2019 critical support resources through the online Exchange Community Hub<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Additionally, the MILITARY STAR\u00ae<\/sub> card, administered by the Army & Air Force Exchange Service, offers support for cardholders experiencing hardship as a result of COVID-19 as well as natural disasters. Cardholders may contact a MILITARY STAR representative at MilitaryStar@aafes.com<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n

Facebook-friendly version:<\/strong> Service members affected by the COVID-19 pandemic can count on Army Emergency Relief (AER) and the Air Force Assistance Fund (AFAF) for critical assistance during these unprecedented times. Read more: https:\/\/wp.me\/p9Q7PG-1yH<\/a>.<\/p>\n

— 30 —<\/p>\n

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<\/sup>-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<\/a> or follow us on Twitter at https:\/\/twitter.com\/ExchangePAO<\/a>.<\/p>\n

###<\/p>\n

Media Notes:<\/strong><\/p>\n

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Conner Hammett, 214-312-2714 or hammettc@aafes.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Follow the Exchange:<\/p>\n

Facebook:\u00a0 www.facebook.com\/shopmyexchange<\/a><\/p>\n

Twitter:\u00a0 https:\/\/twitter.com\/shopmyexchange<\/a><\/p>\n

Instagram: @shopmyexchange<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

DALLAS \u2013 Since 2017, Army & Air Force Exchange Service shoppers have donated nearly $2.46 million to Army Emergency Relief (AER) and the Air Force Assistance Fund (AFAF), a partnership that has taken on even greater importance during the COVID-19 pandemic. \u201cThis has been an exceptionally difficult year for our military community, but some have […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":5996,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"Service members affected by the COVID-19 pandemic can count on @aerhq and @AF_AsstncFund for critical assistance during these unprecedented times. Read more: https:\/\/wp.me\/p9Q7PG-1yH.","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[25],"tags":[160,35,39],"class_list":["post-5995","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-press_releases","tag-aafes","tag-military","tag-the-army-air-force-exchange-service"],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/ExchangePost\/2020\/11\/10\/service-members-families-can-lean-on-military-relief-funds-in-times-of-crisis\/","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Service Members, Families Can Lean on Military Relief Funds in Times of Crisis","url":"http:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/ExchangePost\/2020\/11\/10\/service-members-families-can-lean-on-military-relief-funds-in-times-of-crisis\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/ExchangePost\/2020\/11\/10\/service-members-families-can-lean-on-military-relief-funds-in-times-of-crisis\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/ExchangePost\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/11\/AER-AFAF-logos.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/ExchangePost\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/11\/AER-AFAF-logos.jpg"},"articleSection":"Press Releases","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Marisa Conner"}],"creator":["Marisa Conner"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"The Exchange Newsroom","logo":""},"keywords":["aafes","military","the army & air force exchange service"],"dateCreated":"2020-11-10T20:10:23Z","datePublished":"2020-11-10T20:10:23Z","dateModified":"2020-11-10T20:10:23Z"},"rendered":"