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AAFES Dividends Benefit Scott AFB Quality of Life

  • Published
  • By Army & Air Force Exchange Service
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE,Ill. --  Shoppers who exercised their exchange benefit at the BX, online at www.aafes.com or over the phone through the Exchange Catalog last year helped make the military community a better place as the Army & Air Force Exchange Service estimates it delivered more than $269 million in support to Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs in FY 2007.

These contributions to America's military represented an average per capita dividend of approximately $272 for every active duty Soldier and Airman.

"AAFES' dual mission is to provide goods and services at competitively low prices and generate earnings to support MWR programs," said Bernard Stock, Scott Base Exchange general manager. "This structure makes AAFES major non-pay benefits for today's military because the dollars troops and their families spend at the exchange generate a healthy return on investment that directly improves critical quality of life services."

Purchases made by Airmen at the BX, Burger King and other AAFES activities at Scott AFB last year generated a dividend of $524,778. These funds are critical to Air Force Service's ability to enhance local programs and facilities including the Stars and Strikes Bowling Center, Cardinal Creek Golf Course and Youth Center.

Historically, roughly two-thirds of AAFES earnings are paid to MWR programs. In addition to funding MWR efforts, AAFES earnings are used to build new stores or renovate existing facilities without expense to the Federal government. Funds to contract these new or replacement facilities also come entirely from sales of merchandise and services.

"The bottom line is that every time troops shop their exchange, a portion of their purchase goes toward supporting quality of life programs, facilities and non-appropriated fund construction projects," said Mr. Stock. "Seeing the financial benefit this and other military communities reap makes the day-to-day challenges of delivering the exchange benefit very much worth the commitment and sacrifice needed to operate efficiently and maximize the investment military families at Scott AFB are making in their BX."

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint command of the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, and is directed by a Board of Directors who is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff.

To find out more about AAFES, visit their Web site at http://www.aafes.com/pa/default.asp.