Starbucks Continues Promise Under Blue Star Families’ Do Your Part Movement at Fort Liberty

Board Chair Gives Remarks at Dedication of first Military Family Store on a Military Installation

[FORT LIBERTY, NORTH CAROLINA, February 28] — Blue Star Families, Starbucks, and the Army & Air Force Exchange Service are proud to announce the recognition of the first-ever licensed Starbucks Military Family Store on a military installation at Ft. Liberty, North Carolina. To celebrate the event, representatives from the three organizations, as well as local leaders, Ft. Liberty military personnel, military families, and military service organizations Team RWB and Operation Gratitude gathered at the location on Wednesday, February 28th. The dedication of the Military Family Store marks a significant milestone in the Starbucks commitment to expand the Military Family Store program to support advancing Veteran causes, accelerating hiring in the community, and supporting the transition from military to civilian careers.  The increase of Starbucks Military Family Stores across the country will allow for the expansion of Blue Star Families’ traditional programming, such as Coffee Connects and Military Spouse Appreciation events.

“As a son of this state, and having been born at Ft. Liberty, it is with great pride and honor that I announce our first on-base licensed store. The opening of this store further affirms our tremendous partnership with Blue Star Families and Army and Air Force Service Exchange (AAFES), ensuring military families have the resources to thrive within their communities,” says AJ Jones II, Starbucks executive vice president, chief corporate affairs officer.

“At Starbucks, we view every decision through the lens of our mission, promises and values. In this vein, we enthusiastically welcome the Fort Liberty store to our Military Family Store (MFS) portfolio, bringing our total number of Military Family Stores in the state to 11. We look forward to our continued partnership with this community as we advance our promise to be a bridge to a better future by serving those who have and continue to serve us.”

As an inaugural participant of the Do Your Part initiative, Starbucks continues to build on a strong foundation of work and collaborative efforts with Blue Star Families to address the unique challenges faced by military families and enhance the sustainability of military life. Blue Star Families Board of Directors Chair General (Ret.) Gwen Bingham and CEO Kathy Roth-Douquet attended the milestone event Wednesday.

“I always say that we are better together then we will ever be apart. Having the support of companies such as Starbucks is extremely important to the mission of Blue Star Families, and we are so grateful to have their teams and stores serving military families alongside TEAM BLUE STAR FAMILIES all over the world,” says General (Ret.) Bingham.

Ft. Liberty is also a proposed location for a Blue Star Outpost later this year. Do Your Part and Blue Star Outposts are made possible by the generosity of craig newmark philanthropies.

Media Contact:
Adriene Engstrom
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