DALLAS—Six grand-prize winners from each service branch took home a combined $30,000 in cash prizes in the sixth-annual Home for the Holidays Sweepstakes.
The winners—each receiving a $5,000 check—were automatically entered into the sweepstakes after using their MILITARY STAR® card twice at any military exchange and twice at any commissary between Sept. 1 and Sept. 28.
Army civilian Elizabeth Edwards of Monterey, Calif., was presented with her check on Nov. 21 at the Presidio of Monterey Troop Store by General Manager Lorraine Davis. Edwards’ late husband served two tours in the Vietnam War during his 25-year Army career. Her son serves in the Army, stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. His service has included deployments to both Afghanistan and Iraq.
“I was so excited, I never win anything like this,” Edwards said. “I plan to go on a vacation and visit my grandchildren.”
From left: Presidio of Monterey General Manager Lorraine Davis, Army winner Elizabeth Edwards
Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Robert Hunter from Derby, Kan., took home his check during a presentation at McConnell Air Force Base’s Main Exchange on Nov. 28. Presenting the prize were Store Manager Greggory Brasel; Customer Service Supervisor Malaysia Wilking; and Department Managers Claudia Mejia and Christopher Sample.
From left: Department Manager Claudia Mejia, Customer Service Supervisor Malaysia Wilkins, Store Manager Greggory Brasel, retired Lt. Col. Robert Hunter, Department Manager Christopher Sample
The Space Force grand prize went to Master Sgt. Gilbert Garcia of Colorado Springs, Col., on Nov. 22. Garcia received his check at the Peterson Space Force Base Main Exchange by Store Manager Tina Salera and Supervisory Customer Experience Associate Yuka Munoz.
“It was a surprise, as I didn’t even know I was automatically entered,” Garcia said. “It comes at a good time during the holidays. It’s nice to have some extra funds to see the family and make this Christmas a little merrier.”
From left: Supervisory Customer Experience Associate Yuka Munoz, Space Force Master Sgt. Gilbert Garcia
Other grand prize winners included:
- Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Edward Johnson, Oceanside, Calif.
- Navy Chief Petty Officer Joanee Villamoor, Oceanside, Calif.
- Retired Coast Guard Reserve Master Chief Petty Officer Guy Pasco, Honolulu, Hawaii
“The Home for the Holidays Sweepstakes is an incredibly special contest for the Exchange,” said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Osby, the Exchange’s senior enlisted advisor. “The Exchange and MILITARY STAR are honored to bring some extra joy and excitement to these deserving winners’ holiday seasons.”
The Home for the Holidays Sweepstakes is sponsored by Sony. In the Exchange’s six years promoting the sweepstakes, nearly $162,000 has been awarded to deserving military shoppers worldwide.
Social-media-friendly version: Six Exchange shoppers took home a combined $30,000 in cash simply for using their MILITARY STAR® cards to make purchases! Six grand-prize winners—one from each service branch—each won a $5,000 check in the Home for the Holidays Sweepstakes. Learn more about the winners: https://wp.me/p9Q7PG-2Ax
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Since 1895, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (Exchange) has gone where Soldiers, Airmen, Guardians 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 54th-largest retailer in the United States. 100% of Exchange earnings support military communities. In the last 10 years, your Exchange benefit has provided $3.5 billion in earnings for critical military Quality-of-Life programs. 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.
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Media Notes:
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