{"id":11879,"date":"2025-10-29T14:16:56","date_gmt":"2025-10-29T14:16:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/ExchangePost\/?p=11879"},"modified":"2025-10-29T14:41:58","modified_gmt":"2025-10-29T14:41:58","slug":"exchange-invites-shoppers-to-share-heartwarming-holiday-memories-for-a-chance-at-3000-in-prizes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/ExchangePost\/2025\/10\/29\/exchange-invites-shoppers-to-share-heartwarming-holiday-memories-for-a-chance-at-3000-in-prizes\/","title":{"rendered":"Exchange Invites Shoppers to Share Heartwarming Holiday Memories for a Chance at $3,000 in Prizes"},"content":{"rendered":"

DALLAS<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0This season, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service is inviting shoppers to spread cheer by sharing their most memorable holiday moments<\/a> for a chance to win big in the Mars Holiday Storybook Essay Contest.<\/p>\n

From Oct. 31 through Dec. 25, authorized Exchange shoppers can submit an original essay in English\u2014500 words or fewer\u2014about a favorite childhood or recent holiday memory. Entries must be emailed to sweepstakes@aafes.com<\/a> with \u201cFavorite Holiday Story\u201d on the subject line.<\/p>\n

Three winners will each receive a $1,000 Exchange gift card, with winners to be announced no later than Feb. 13.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery holiday season brings stories that connect us,\u201d said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Rich Martinez, the Exchange\u2019s senior enlisted advisor. \u201cThrough this contest, the Exchange is honored to celebrate those moments of joy and give Soldiers, Airmen, Guardians and their families a chance to win great prizes for sharing their stories.\u201d<\/p>\n

No purchase is necessary to enter. Department of War and Coast Guard civilians and honorably discharged\u00a0Veterans who have confirmed their eligibility to shop online may also enter. Veterans can visit\u00a0https:\/\/aafes.media\/paveterans<\/a>\u00a0to learn more about their shopping benefit. DoD civilians\u00a0can visit\u00a0https:\/\/aafes.media\/cacbenefitspa<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For full sweepstakes rules, visit\u00a0ShopMyExchange.com\/sweepstakes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Social-media-friendly version: <\/strong>The Exchange wants to hear your favorite holiday memories! Submit your most cherished story from Oct. 31 through Dec. 25 for a chance to win a share of $3,000 in prizes during the Mars Holiday Storybook Essay Contest. Learn more: https:\/\/wp.me\/p9Q7PG-35B<\/a><\/p>\n

— 30 —<\/p>\n

Since 1895, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service has gone where Soldiers, Airmen, Guardians and their families go to improve the quality of their lives by providing\u00a0valued goods and services at exclusive military pricing. The Exchange is the 51st-largest retailer in the United States. 100% of Exchange earnings support military communities. In the last 10 years, your Exchange benefit has provided $15 billion\u00a0in earnings that support the military community, including through contributions to critical military Quality-of-Life programs.\u00a0<\/strong>The Exchange is a non-appropriated fund entity of the Department of War 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,\u00a0valor 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\u00a0http:\/\/www.shopmyexchange.com<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0follow us on X at\u00a0https:\/\/x.com\/ExchangePAO<\/a>.<\/p>\n

###<\/p>\n

Media Notes:<\/p>\n

For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact SSgt. Marco Gomez at\u00a0 or gomezmarco@aafes.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Follow the Exchange:<\/p>\n

Facebook:\u202f\u00a0https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/shopmyexchange<\/a><\/p>\n

X:\u202f\u00a0https:\/\/x.com\/shopmyexchange<\/a><\/p>\n

Instagram:\u00a0@shopmyexchange<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

DALLAS\u00a0\u2013\u00a0This season, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service is inviting shoppers to spread cheer by sharing their most memorable holiday moments for a chance to win big in the Mars Holiday Storybook Essay Contest. From Oct. 31 through Dec. 25, authorized Exchange shoppers can submit an original essay in English\u2014500 words or fewer\u2014about a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":11881,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[25,313],"tags":[160,174,107,35,57],"class_list":["post-11879","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-press_releases","category-sweepstakes","tag-aafes","tag-army-air-force-exchange-service","tag-exchange","tag-military","tag-sweepstakes"],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/ExchangePost\/2025\/10\/29\/exchange-invites-shoppers-to-share-heartwarming-holiday-memories-for-a-chance-at-3000-in-prizes\/","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Exchange Invites Shoppers to Share Heartwarming Holiday Memories for a Chance at $3,000 in Prizes","url":"http:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/ExchangePost\/2025\/10\/29\/exchange-invites-shoppers-to-share-heartwarming-holiday-memories-for-a-chance-at-3000-in-prizes\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/ExchangePost\/2025\/10\/29\/exchange-invites-shoppers-to-share-heartwarming-holiday-memories-for-a-chance-at-3000-in-prizes\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/ExchangePost\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/10\/HolidayStorybookContest.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/publicaffairs-sme.com\/ExchangePost\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/10\/HolidayStorybookContest.jpg"},"articleSection":"Press Releases","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Travis Day"}],"creator":["Travis Day"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"The Exchange Newsroom","logo":""},"keywords":["aafes","army & air force exchange service","exchange","military","sweepstakes"],"dateCreated":"2025-10-29T14:16:56Z","datePublished":"2025-10-29T14:16:56Z","dateModified":"2025-10-29T14:41:58Z"},"rendered":"