Exchange to Support Army Emergency Relief, Air Force Assistance Fund

Exchange Director/CEO Tom Shull (center, left) and senior leaders met in Dallas with executives of Army Emergency Relief (AER). Attending the meeting were Army LTG (R) Raymond Mason, AER director (center right); retired Army COL C. Eldon Mullis, AER’s deputy director and chief operating officer; and retired Army COL Shawn Woodbridge, AER’s chief marketing/communications/development officer.

For the second year, the Exchange  will support Army Emergency Relief (AER) and Air Force Assistance Fund (AFAF) with three “Give And Get Back” donation periods throughout 2018.

Army LTG (R) Raymond Mason, director of AER, met with Exchange Director/CEO Tom Shull and senior executives April 13 at the Dallas headquarters to discuss the 2018 partnership.

“Partnering with the Exchange has been a game changer for the Army Emergency Relief and the Soldiers and families we assist,” Mason said. “Teaming with the Exchange was a terrific success in 2017, and we look forward to what we can accomplish together this year.”

Building on success

During the meeting, Shull and Mason, a former chairman of the Exchange’s board of directors, brainstormed ways to build on the initiative’s success in its second year. Last year, Exchange shoppers were offered the opportunity to donate at the register to AER and AFAF. For every $5 donated, shoppers received a coupon for $5 off a $25 purchase.

The inaugural effort netted more than $258,000, which AER and AFAF used to provide emergency assistance, sponsor educational programs and offer community programs that improve the quality of life of service members and their families.

“These two organizations provide terrific support to Warfighters and their families,” Shull said. “The Exchange team is honored to partner with AER and AFAF to ensure that these organizations continue to provide vital assistance to the military community.”

The 2018 donation periods will be from May 15-20, Aug. 1-5 and Nov. 30-Dec. 5.