MEDIA CONTACT: Chris Ward
MEDIA ADVISORY: 11-037
RELEASE DATE: July 18, 2011

Shopping the Exchange Pays Dividends

 DALLAS – The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is paying dividends in more ways than one as troops exercising their benefit by dining at and shopping at Exchange facilities last year generated a dividend of $261.1M. These funds are critical to Army, Air Force, National Guard, Marine Corps and Navy Morale, Welfare and Recreation efforts.

“The Exchange’s dual mission is to provide goods and services at competitively low prices and generate earnings to support MWR programs,” said the Exchange’s Senior Enlisted Advisor Chief Master Sgt. Jeffry Helm. “As a result, the dollars that troops and their families use to shop the Exchange or make a purchase from a catalog generates a healthy return by directly improving quality of life efforts.”

This dual benefit goes far beyond clothes, electronics or consumables. In fact, worldwide purchases made in the past 10 years have provided more than $2.4 billion to military morale, welfare and recreation programs such as Youth Services, post functions and aquatic centers.

Historically, roughly two-thirds of Exchange earnings are paid to quality of life programs. In addition to funding these efforts, Exchange earnings are used to build new stores or renovate existing facilities without expense to the Federal government. Funds to contract these new or replacement facilities also come entirely from sales of merchandise and services.

Exchange support to the military in FY 2010 was not limited to Soldiers and Airmen. Because the Exchange operates at Marine and Navy locations, funds were also returned to Marines and Sailors. The FY 2010 dividend of $261.1 million was distributed as follows:

Army:                                      $158.1M

Air Force:                                $90.6M

Marines:                                  $11.4M

Navy:                                      $1.0M

TOTAL:                                  $261.1M

— 30 —

 The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint command and is directed by a Board of Directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff. The Exchange has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with articles of merchandiseand services and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (FMWR) programs. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.shopmyexchange.com.

###

Media Notes:

 For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Chris Ward, 214-312-2714 or [email protected].

MEDIA CONTACT: Chris Ward
MEDIA ADVISORY: 11-037
RELEASE DATE: July 18, 2011

DALLAS – The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is putting its money where its mouth is as it will dole out $4,200 in winnings for the tastiest, healthiest after-school snacks.

The winner of the “Patriot Family Healthy Snack Recipe Contest” will sink their teeth into a $1,500 Exchange gift card and their choice of a fitness item, valued up to $600, provided by Icon Sports. Second place will scarf down a $750 gift card, along with a fitness item valued at up to $600, while the third and fourth best recipes will receive $500 and $250, respectively.

“Military shoppers can ‘dig in’ to this ‘tasty’ contest,” said the Exchange’s Chief of Staff Col. Colice Powell. “In addition to the great prizes offered, the winners will also be featured on Operation Be Fit and Patriot Family Connection websites as well as the ‘Taste of Home’ website and magazine.”

Entries must include an original photo of the healthy after-school snack and fifty words describing the origin of the recipe. A complete list of rules, as well as detailed information on entry, can be found at http://www.shopmyexchange.com/Community/patriotfamily/contests.htm. The deadline for entering the “Patriot Family Healthy Snack Recipe Contest” is Aug. 11.

Winners will be determined based on criteria that includes flavor, originality, healthy ingredients, ease of preparation and feasibility. Winning entries will be selected on or about Sept. 30.  

— 30 —

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint command and is directed by a Board of Directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff. The Exchange has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with articles of merchandise and services and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (FMWR) programs. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.shopmyexchange.com.

###

 Media Notes:

 For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Chris Ward, 214-312-2714 or [email protected].

MEDIA CONTACT: Staff Sgt. Lewis M. Hilburn
MEDIA ADVISORY: 11-036
RELEASE DATE: July 14, 2011

DALLAS – Last year Exchange shoppers clipped their way to savings as they redeemed more than $6 million in coupons at Army and Air Force Exchange Service stores.

According to the Exchange, the biggest portion of these savings came during the holiday season.

“The Toyland Book gave Exchange patrons the most bang for their buck,” according to the Army and Air Force Exchange Service’s Acting Chief of Staff Col. Colice Powell. “Redemption of Exchange coupons was more than $446,000 with an average savings of $13 per coupon redeemed.”

Customers continue to increase their savings by combining Exchange offers with vendor coupons, helping them save an average of $1.35.

While the Exchange honors vendor coupons, it encourages shoppers to be vigilant of fraud. The Exchange loses thousands of dollars annually when manufacturers do not accept or reimburse for fraudulent or altered coupons.  

In addition coupons, the Exchange provides a variety of exclusive savings through the mail and online.

“With mobile marketing and social media on the rise, the Exchange encourages shoppers to log onto Facebook and Twitter or text Exchange to 95613 for additional savings delivered to their mobile device,” said the Exchange’s Social Media Manager Leah Miller.

Patrons can also log on to www.shopmyexchange.com and check the Savings Center to see what “Super Daily Specials,” “Weekly Promotions,” and “Advertised Specials” are available.  

Additional details concerning coupon redemption, shopping and saving at the Exchange are available online at http://www.shopmyexchange.com/CustomerService/couponAcceptance.htm

–30 –

 The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint command and is directed by a Board of Directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff. The Exchange has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with articles of merchandise and services and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.shopmyexchange.com.

###

 Media Notes:  For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Judd Anstey, 214-312-3861 or [email protected].

MEDIA CONTACT: Staff Sgt. Lewis M. Hilburn
MEDIA ADVISORY: 11-035
RELEASE DATE: July 13, 2011

DALLAS – In 1895, the War Department issued General Order 46 directing commanders to establish an Exchange at every post. Since then, Exchange associates worldwide have faithfully served alongside the servicemembers of the United States during peace and times of war. They live the Exchange’s motto “We Go Where You Go.”

Exactly 116 years later, the Exchange is marking the occasion offering 16-cents off per gallon of gas July 25-27 when patrons use their Military Star Card or Rewards MasterCard.

The 16-cent a gallon discount is above and beyond the everyday five-cent a gallon savings Military Star® cardholders enjoy when filling up at the Exchange. The July 25-27 promotion is just the latest example of how the Exchange “pumps up” the discount even more during holidays and other special occasions.

“It is our way of saying thanks,” said the Army and Air Force Exchange Service Acting Chief of Staff Col. Colice Powell. “If it were not for the warfighters of the United States military, the Exchange would not be where it is today.”

To apply for the Military Star® Card and Rewards Mastercard, log onto www.shopmyexchange.com click the link to Exchange Credit Program.  

–30–

 The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint command and is directed by a Board of Directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff. The Exchange has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with articles of merchandise and services and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.shopmyexchange.com.

###

 Media Notes:  For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Judd Anstey, 214-312-3861 or [email protected].

MEDIA CONTACT: Sydney Bierman
MEDIA ADVISORY: 11-034
RELEASE DATE: July 1, 2011

DALLAS – The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is partnering with Unilever to offer vacations to patriotic destinations as well as cash prizes to Exchange shoppers worldwide.

The “Red, White and Blue Sweepstakes” will reward $50,000 in prizes including vacation getaways and Exchange gift cards. Five eligible Exchange shoppers and their families will win a trip to visit one of five national parks for the grand prize.

To enter the sweepstakes, Exchange shoppers must compose a 500 words or less essay about why their family deserves to win a trip. The winning families will book their vacations to Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Smoky Mountains or the National Parks and Memorial Mall in Washington D.C. Each prize package will include airfare, hotel accommodations, park admission and spending money. In addition to the five grand prizes, ten first prize winners will win a $100 Exchange gift card.

“Exchange customers can be proud to be an American with this sweepstakes,” said the Exchange’s Senior Listed Advisor Chief Master Sgt. Jeffry Helm. “Visiting any of these locations on the Exchange’s dime is sure to bring out the patriotism in any shopper.”

Essays can be submitted through July 15^th to www.OperationInTouch.com  or mailed to P.O. Box 7419, Wilton, CT 06897-7419.

— 30 —

 The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint command and is directed by a Board of Directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff. The Exchange has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with articles of merchandise and services and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (FMWR) programs. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.shopmyexchange.com.

###

 Media Notes:

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Sydney Bierman, 214-312-2132 or [email protected].