Troops Redeeming Thousands of "Gifts from the Homefront" Gift Certificates at PX/BXs in Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom

Blackanthem Military News, DALLAS, Texas, January 23, 2006 14:00

As retailers report increased sales due to gift cards purchased last month, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service is redeeming thousands of "Gifts from the Homefront" at contingency PX/BX locations throughout Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.

"Dollar contributions to ‘Gifts from the Homefront’ in December 2005 exceeded all of those received in August, September, October and November combined," said Lt. Col. Debra Pressley.

December contributions showed a 57.9 percent increase over November 2005 with 3,481 certificates issued. Total contributions to "Gifts from the Homefront" since the program’s inception are now $1,173,210, an average of $35,551 a month sent to troops serving far from home.

To date, 18,371 of the 61,048 total gift certificates distributed since March 2003 have been sent to "any service member" through the American Red Cross, Air Force Aid Society, Fisher House, USO, Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes, Operation Homefront or Operation Interdependence®.

AAFES officials are hopeful that the end of the year surge will carry over to 2006. "I hope every American makes a service member his or her sweetheart this Valentine’s Day by sending a gift certificate," said Lt. Col. Debra Pressley. "Just remember, chocolates sent through the mail don’t look the same once they arrive in the desert."

Chocolates, cards and even video games are available at more than 50 contingency exchanges throughout Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. Reports from Iraq indicate that certificates purchased in December are being redeemed for energy drinks, phone cards and snacks.

Any American can send a "Gift from the Homefront" by logging on to www.aafes.org or calling 877-770-4438. The certificates can be sent to an individual Soldier, Airman, Sailor or Marine (designated by the purchaser) or distributed to "any service member" through any one of seven charitable organizations.

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) 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. AAFES has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with articles of merchandise and services and of generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs. To find out more about AAFES' history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http://www.aafes.com/pa/default.asp

Source : The Army & Air Force Exchange Service