Exchange Celebrates New Donation Partnership with Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
Camp Foster’s main Exchange store hosted a ribbon-cutting Oct. 20 ,to celeberate the partnership between the Exchange and Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS).
The partnership allows Exchange shoppers on U.S. Marine Corps bases in the Pacific Region to donate to the relief agency at checkout.
“In the Pacific Region, all Marine Corps retail facilities operated by the Exchange now offer Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society donations in multiple storefronts such as main stores (BX and PX), branch stores, military clothing stores and Expresses in Okinawa, mainland Japan, Korea and Australia,” said Okinawa General Manager David Swenson.
“The generosity of our Exchange shoppers continues to impress me,” said Exchange Pacific Region Commander Air Force Col. Jason L. Beck. ”The Exchange is all about family serving family and this partnership emphasizes the support we have, to help our fellow Sailors and Marines in their time of need.
In the past, customers were able to give only to the Army Emergency Fund and the Air Force Assistance Fund and not the Marine Corps, which has the largest presence in Okinawa.
“As much as I love helping my Army and Air Force brothers- and sisters-in-arm, I would love to be able to donate to help out my fellow Marines and Sailors,” said 1st Sgt. Charles Pierson, Marine Corps, 3rd Intelligence Battalion. “Now I can.”
The AER, AFAF and NMCRS provide financial assistance and sponsor scholarships for service members and their families. They also have an array of community programs to help enhance their quality of life.
The Exchange has partnered with the military relief agencies since 2017 to offer shoppers an opportunity to donate during checkout. Since then, shoppers have donated more than $7.8 million.
Cutting the ribbon on the Exchange’s new partnership with Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society are, from left: Chad Davis, Camp Foster Main Store Manager; David Swenson, Okinawa Exchange General Manager; Michael Taylor, Foster Sales Merchandise Manager; Camps Foster and Lester Headquarters and Support Battalion Executive Officer Lt. Col Spencer A. Szewczyk; Evian Salgado, NMCRS Client Service Lead; and Madisa Marlor, NMCRS Okinawa Director. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Mark A. Kauffman)
