• DALLAS
Michael A. “Tony” Grinston, chief executive officer of Army Emergency Relief (AER), demonstrated his appreciation for Exchange efforts by recognizing several associates during recent Exchange visits.
During fiscal 2024, Exchange shoppers donated more than $1.6 million to AER.
“The Exchange’s longtime collaboration with Army Emergency Relief has been a game-changer, which has greatly impacted our ability to provide financial assistance to thousands of Soldiers and families when they need it the most,” said Grinston, who was 16th Sergeant Major of the Army from 2019 to 2023 and is a former Exchange board member.
Since 2017, the Exchange has collaborated with AER to provide financial assistance, sponsor educational scholarship grants for family members and offer community programs that improve quality of life for service members and their families.
Shoppers can donate to the fund at PX, BX and Express registers and atShopMyExchange.com.
During June, the Exchange is offering a special option in honor of the Army’s 250th birthday, allowing shoppers to make a $2.50 donation to AER at the register.
“The Exchange is one of our largest contributors,” said Grinston, who was named AER CEO in 2024. “We cannot thank the donors at the register and CEO Tom Shull and every team member enough for their support.”
Since 2022, only active-duty and retired Soldiers have contributed more to AER than the Exchange.
TEAM TOUR
• FORT BRAGG, N.C.
Grinston visited CONUS installations in the spring, including Fort Bragg, where the Exchange and five vendors supported an
“SMA Hoop Dreams” contest, in which Grinston took on Soldiers in a three-point basketball shooting competition.
At Fort Bragg, Grinston presented coins to these associates:
Aidalis Velasquez, store manager, Mallonee Express; Pilar Pendergrass, retail business manager, Fort Bragg/Seymour Johnson AFB; John Leak, visual merchandiser; Cheryl Chevis, services business manager, Fort Bragg/Seymour Johnson; and Alex Dewberry, GM secretary, Fort Bragg.
• SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, HAWAII
The AER team visited the Schofield Barracks main store and mall, thanking the team for their efforts.
GM Julia Woods, Schofield Barracks Main Store Manager Desiree Miller and former GM David Swenson welcomed the AER team.
Grinston presented a coin to Swenson, who retired in February, in recognition of his 36 years of service to the Exchange.
Grinston also presented coins to these associates: Byron Brown, laborer; Jeanelle Medeiros, inventory control associate; and Tessie Pada, softlines associate.
• USAG HUMPHREYS, SOUTH KOREA
Grinston and the AER team’s tour concluded in April with stops at Exchanges in the Pacific Region.
At the USAG Humphreys Exchange, Grinston was welcomed by Pacific Region Vice President (VP) Jennifer Jordan, USAG Humphreys General Manager (GM) George McNamara; Main Store Manager Megan Rall; Services Business Manager Choe, Un-Hye; Food Court Manager Son, Chung-Yun; and several Express managers.
“He repeatedly expressed his appreciation for the Exchange’s efforts as the number one non-Solider donor to AER,” Jordan said. “I shared with him that I was a beneficiary of such donations as a high school senior — having received an AER scholarship.”
Grinston presented challenge coins to Rall and to these USAG Humphreys associates:
Chong, Chung-kon, Troop Mini Mall Express manager; Yi, Ho-sung, Sentry Mini Mall Express manager; Kim, Song-ku, Zoeckler Mini Mall Express manager; Ryu-Seung-yon, 3rd MI Express manager; and Hwang, Yun-suk, Family Mini Mall Express manager.
• CAMP CASEY, SOUTH KOREA
The AER team also visited Camp Casey, where AER Director of Communications Col. (ret.) Sean Ryan met with associates and presented a challenge coin on Grinston’s behalf to Main Store Manager Han, Yun-sok.
PRIOR VISITS
These weren’t Grinston’s first Exchange visits as AER CEO.
In 2024, he presented coins to associates at JB Lewis-McChord, Wash., and Forts Bliss (Texas); Liberty (N.C.); Cavazos (Texas); Riley (Kan.); and Wainwright (Alaska).
During 2024, Exchange shoppers contributed more than $2.7 million to military relief funds, which also included the Air Force Assistance Fund (AFAF) and the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS). The donations represented a 7.1-percent increase from 2023.
Source: AAFES
Edited by Larry Lapka
