{"id":1420,"date":"2013-10-10T11:52:37","date_gmt":"2013-10-10T16:52:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/pressrelease\/?p=1420"},"modified":"2013-10-10T11:52:37","modified_gmt":"2013-10-10T16:52:37","slug":"support-the-troops-with-exchange-gift-cards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/pressrelease\/?p=1420","title":{"rendered":"Support the Troops with Exchange Gift Cards"},"content":{"rendered":"

MEDIA CONTACT:\u00a0SSG Mark Matthews
\nMEDIA ADVISORY: 13-069
\nRELEASE DATE:\u00a0Oct. 10, 2013<\/p>\n

DALLAS \u2013 <\/b>It\u2019s not the gift, but the thought that counts. This year the Army & Air Force Exchange Service is offering any American the opportunity to get them both right by purchasing an Exchange gift card for any servicemember with just a few clicks.<\/p>\n

\u201cGift cards give Soldiers and Airmen the choice to buy the things they need when they want them,\u201d said Exchange Senior Enlisted Advisor Chief Master Sgt. Tony Pearson. \u201cAn Exchange gift card is especially great if you want to show your support for the troops, but just don\u2019t quite know how.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gift cards offer a unique take on the idea of sending servicemembers care packages. The Exchange operates more than 30 Exchanges in contingency locations including Afghanistan, Jordan and Kuwait. Sending a gift card instead of a care package allows troops to choose the name brands and products they want, saving the sender unnecessary and costly postage fees.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

While only authorized military shoppers can redeem Exchange gift cards, any American can send one by simply logging on to www.shopmyexchange.com<\/a> and clicking \u201cSupport Your Troops\u201d and then the \u201cGift and Calling Cards\u201d<\/a> icon.<\/p>\n

From there, Exchange gift cards, ranging in values from $10 to $500, can be addressed to a specific Soldier, Airman, Sailor or Marine or sent to \u201cany service member\u201d through the Fisher House Foundation, Air Force Aid Society, Warrior and Family Support Center or Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.<\/p>\n

The Exchange operates facilities for service members, retirees and their families in more than 30 countries, 50 states and five U.S. territories. Current operations include 131 main stores, 174 Military Clothing facilities, 72 movie theaters, 850 specialty stores and 1,590 quick serve restaurants such as Taco Bell, Popeye\u2019s and Starbucks.<\/p>\n

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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint non-appropriated fund instrumentality of the Department of Defense 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. \u00a0The Exchange has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with quality merchandise and services at competitively low prices and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military morale, welfare and recreation 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact SSG Mark Matthews, 214-312-4273\"\"<\/a><\/span> or matthewsmb@aafes.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\t

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