Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Tim Meyer | Exchange managers surprised selected families at special events held last week at...... read more read more
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DALLAS – The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is teaming up with Pay Away the Layaway to make spirits bright for military families this holiday season.
Exchange managers surprised the selected families at special events held last week at Forts Bliss, Carson and Polk as well as Joint Base Langley-Eustis. In all, 44 families had their layaway balances paid in full, totaling $4,700. More surprise events are planned for this month.
“Part of the Exchange’s mission is supporting the families of Warfighters, especially military children who often spend holidays apart from extended family,” said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Luis Reyes, Exchange senior enlisted advisor. “By working with Pay Away the Layaway, we can bring cheer and relief to some of the best customers in the world throughout the holiday season.”
Air Force retiree Sylvia Sawyer had no idea what to expect when she was invited to a “customer appreciation” event at the Langley Exchange.
“This is the first time anything like this has happened to me,” Sawyer said.
The event held special meaning for Fort Carson Exchange General Manager Lawrence Simmons because of the impact these gifts made to military families experiencing deployment.
"We're a big deployment base,” Simmons said. “This is a way to give back and make some folks very happy during this holiday season.”
Military retirees benefited too. Saundra Diggs and her husband, Ivan, recently moved back to the Langley area after Ivan retired from the Army.
“It was a big help to get our grandkids taken care of,” Diggs said.
Families were chosen because their layaways contained gifts for children.
“Military children experience so much while their parent is in the service,” said Lee Karchawer, founder of Pay Away the Layaway. “Easing the financial burden of holiday shopping is our small way sharing the spirit of the season with military families across the country.”
Pay Away the Layaway is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that raises money online to pay off layaway balances. The mission of the organization is to inspire hope and spread kindness.
Facebook-Friendly Version: The Army & Air Force Exchange Service has teamed up with Pay Away the Layaway to make spirits bright for military families this holiday season, surprising 44 families across four installations with layaway balances paid in full. Read more: https://wp.me/p9Q7PG-P6
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Since 1895, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (Exchange) has gone where Soldiers, Airmen and their families go to improve the quality of their lives by providing valued goods and services at exclusive military pricing. The Exchange is the 61st-largest retailer in the United States. Its earnings provided $2.4 billion in dividends to support military morale, welfare and recreation programs over the last 10 years. The Exchange is a non-appropriated fund entity of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors. The Exchange is a 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemorative Partner, planning and conducting events and activities that recognize the service, valor and sacrifice of Vietnam Veterans and their families in conjunction with the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our website at http://www.shopmyexchange.com or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ExchangePAO.
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Media Notes:
For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Alexandra Pirkle, 214-312-2143 or pirkleac@aafes.com.
Follow the Exchange:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/shopmyexchange
Twitter: https://twitter.com/shopmyexchange
Instagram: @shopmyexchange
| Date Taken: | 12.03.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 12.03.2018 15:35 |
| Story ID: | 302062 |
| Location: | DALLAS, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 88 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 44 Military Families Have Exchange Layaway Paid in Full at Surprise Events, by Alexandra Pirkle, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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