Exchange Shoppers Give $218,000 to Military Members in Need

2019 Give and Get Back campaign supported Soldiers, Airmen and their families.

The military community is a family, and Exchange shoppers stepped up big in 2019 to help family members in need by donating more than $218,000.

Through the Give and Get Back campaign, which featured three giving periods throughout the year, Exchange shoppers in stores and online donated to Army Emergency Relief (AER) and the Air Force Assistance Fund (AFAF). For every $5 donated, shoppers received an Exchange coupon for $5 off a $25 purchase.

“Warfighters never leave a member of the team behind,” said Exchange Director/CEO Tom Shull. “The Exchange is fully nested with the important missions of Army Emergency Relief and the Air Force Assistance Fund. We see the spirit of the military community in the generosity of our shoppers, who are helping those around them in need.”

2019 marked the third year that the Exchange partnered with AER and AFAF for the Give and Get Back campaign. In total, Exchange shoppers have donated more than $800,000 since 2017.

“Thanks to Exchange shoppers, Airmen and their families are getting a helping hand when they need it most,” said Lt. Gen. (Ret.) John D. Hopper Jr., CEO of the Air Force Aid Society, one of four charities that benefit from the AFAF.

AER and the AFAF provide emergency assistance, sponsor educational initiatives and offer community programs that support the military community.

The Exchange will begin a new program with AER and the AFAF this year that will allow shoppers to make donations year-round in stores, as they can currently do online.

“The partnership with the Exchange has paid wonderful dividends in the form of more Soldiers and Army families receiving assistance when they need it most,” said LTG(R) Raymond V. Mason, AER director. “We look forward to continuing our global partnership with the outstanding Exchange team in helping even more military members.”