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At the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003, the late Maj. Gen. Kathryn Frost, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service’s commander at the time, immediately recognized the need for a program that not only supported troops downrange, but one that could also alleviate the crush of packages being sent into a war zone. With that in mind, “Gifts from the Homefront” was launched.
“In our efforts to help, we need to be conscious of the strain that is often placed on the military postal system,” said General Frost in 2004. “Packages are nice, but unlike a care package, a Gift from the Homefront gift certificate is quickly available – no sluggish mail, no wait and no expensive shipping costs. This program gets comfort items into the hands of troops fast and helps to relieve the burden of the postal system.”
In the five years since General Frost and AAFES implemented the “Gifts from the Homefront” program, people from all over the country have rallied around military families by contributing $2,244,195 towards the program designed to lift the morale of Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Marines.
“Gifts from the Homefront” can be sent to deployed troops by logging on to www.aafes.org or calling 877-770-4438. From there, BX/PX gift certificates are sent to servicemembers through the Air Force Aid Society, American Red Cross, Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes, Fisher House, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Operation Homefront, Operation Interdependence or the USO. These partners have distributed 24,815 certificates, totaling more than $480,000.
(Courtesy of Army & Air Force Exchange Service Corporate Communications)
