AAFES dividends benefit Hurlburt quality of life

  • Published
  • By Michele Ware
  • AAFES
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Shoppers who exercised their benefits at the base exchange, 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 and Air Force Exchange Service estimates it delivered more than $269 million in support to Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs in fiscal year 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 Hurlburt BX's General Manager Ron Daugherty. "This structure makes AAFES a major non-pay benefit for today's military because the dollars Airmen and their families spend at the exchange generate a healthy return on investment that directly improves quality of life services."

Purchases made by Airmen at the Hurlburt BX, Burger King and other AAFES activities at Hurlburt Field last year generated a dividend of $351,201. These funds are critical to Air Force Service's ability to enhance local programs and facilities including the golf course, fitness club and bowling 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 Airmen shop their exchange, a portion of their purchase goes towards supporting quality-of-life programs, facilities and non-appropriated fund construction projects," Mr. Daugherty said. "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 Hurlburt Field are making in their BX."