Col. Michael Hunsberger, 30th Mission Support Group commander, and Ladda Marx, Vandenberg Exchange general manager, were joined by Exchange associates in presenting the You Made the Grade sweepstakes second-place prize to first-grader Douglas Anderson IV Jan. 24. (Photo courtesy of the 30th Space Wing Public Affairs office)
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE – When first-grader Douglas Anderson IV found out he was the second-place winner of the Army & Air Force Exchange Service’s worldwide You Made the Grade sweepstakes, he decided to change his name.
“He says his name is ‘Rich Man,’” his father said.
Douglas received his prize, a $1,500 Exchange gift card, at a presentation Jan. 24 at the Vandenberg Air Force Base Exchange.
“The Vandenberg Exchange is honored to reward Douglas for his academic achievement,” said Exchange General Manager Ladda Marx. “Military children like Douglas work hard to maintain their grades and succeed in school, and we hope this prize shows his efforts paid off.”
First- through 12th-graders who maintain a B average or higher can enter the sweepstakes for a chance at a $2,000, $1,500 or $500 Exchange gift card. Douglas was randomly selected from nearly 600 entries.
Douglas Anderson IV, 6, received a $1,500 Exchange gift card as the second-place prize winner of the Exchange’s You Made the Grade sweepstakes Jan. 24. (Photo courtesy of the 30th Space Wing Public Affairs office)
Douglas, 6, is the youngest son of retired Master Sgt. Douglas Anderson III and his wife, Christina, of Santa Maria, Calif. Master Sgt. Anderson served 18 years in the Air Force.
Douglas found out about his win while on vacation with his parents and two older siblings in Hawaii.
“He didn’t believe me at first,” Anderson said. “It wasn’t until he heard me tell someone else that it sunk in.”
Once he understood what he had won, Douglas was ecstatic.
“He’s just so excited to have won something,” Anderson said. “He has all kinds of plans of things he wants to buy.”
All three Anderson children qualified for the sweepstakes and entered for the first time this year after seeing a poster advertising the sweepstakes at the Vandenberg Exchange. “Rich Man” will be graciously sharing the money with his siblings.
When asked what he is going to do with the money, Douglas’s response was simple: “Spend it!”
For more information about the You Made the Grade program, students and guardians can contact the Vandenberg Exchange at 805-734-5521. Students can send You Made the Grade sweepstakes entry forms to:
You Made the Grade
PO Box 227398
Dallas, TX 75222-7398
Facebook-friendly version: When first-grader Douglas Anderson IV found out that he was the second-place winner of the Army & Air Force Exchange Service’s worldwide You Made the Grade sweepstakes, he decided to change his name to “Rich Man.”
— 30 —
Since 1895, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (Exchange) has gone where Soldiers, Airmen and their families go to improve the quality of their lives by providing valued goods and services at exclusive military pricing. The Exchange is the 61st-largest retailer in the United States. Its earnings provided $2.4 billion in dividends to support military morale, welfare and recreation programs over the last 10 years. The Exchange is a non-appropriated fund entity of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors. The Exchange is a 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemorative Partner, planning and conducting events and activities that recognize the service, valor and sacrifice of Vietnam Veterans and their families in conjunction with the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our website at http://www.shopmyexchange.com or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ExchangePAO.
###
Media Notes:
For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Alexandra Pirkle, 214-312-2143 or [email protected].
Follow the Exchange:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/shopmyexchange
Twitter: https://twitter.com/shopmyexchange
Instagram: @shopmyexchange