Airmen and their families shopping and dining at Army & Air Force Exchange Service stores and restaurants generated $517,635 last year for Air Force quality-of-life programs.
Over the past 10 years, Exchanges worldwide have provided more than $2.4 billion in dividends to military programs. At Luke Air Force Base, these include the fitness center, outdoor recreation and Fort Tuthill Recreation Area.
“Roughly two-thirds of Exchange earnings support the services’ quality-of-life programs,” said Aileen Rivenburg, Luke Exchange general manager. “Using your exchange benefit is the only way to guarantee your shopping supports on-installation programs. When Airmen shop or dine at the Luke Exchange, they are investing in their own community.”
The remaining one-third of Exchange earnings fund building new stores and updating existing ones to improve the shopping experience. In 2016, the Exchange invested $223 million in new, revamped and expanded facilities and improvements to ShopMyExchange.com.
“In 2016, the Exchange expanded its online assortment by about 32,000 items, extending product selection as well as available sizes in clothing and shoes,” Rivenburg said. “Shopping the Exchange helps maintain the virtuous circle that is the service members’ and their families’ Exchange benefit.”
The Exchange’s mission of providing quality goods and services at competitively low prices while generating earnings to support quality-of-life programs means that the Exchange benefit is more than finding a good price on merchandise. It enhances the lives of service members and their families at Luke.
Courtesy of AAFES
