Shopping the Dyess exchange pays dividends Published June 28, 2011 By Kyle Corrina Army & Air Force Exchange Service Public Affairs DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The Dyess Exchange is paying dividends in more ways than one as Airmen exercising their benefit by dining at and shopping on Base last year generated a dividend of $425,632.46. These funds are critical to Air Force Service's ability to enhance local programs and facilities including the the Heritage Club and main swimming pools, Dyess Lanes bowling alley and Mesquite Grove Golf Course. "The Exchange's dual mission is to provide goods and services at competitively low prices and generate earnings to support Services programs," said the Dyess Exchange's store manager, Percilla Brissette. "As a result, the dollars that troops and their families use to shop the Exchange or eat at Charley's generates a healthy return by directly improving Air Force quality of life efforts." This dual benefit goes far beyond clothes, electronics or consumables. In fact, worldwide purchases made in the past 10 years have provided more than $2.4 billion to military morale, welfare and recreation programs such as Youth Services, post functions and aquatic centers. Historically, roughly two-thirds of Exchange earnings are paid to quality of life programs. In addition to funding these efforts, Exchange 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.