• DALLAS
Six military community members are ringing in the new year with extra change in their pockets as winners in the Army & Air Force Exchange Service’s (AAFES) eighth-annual Military Star Card’s Home for the Holidays sweepstakes.
The sweepstakes, sponsored by Sony PlayStation, awarded $30,000 in cash prizes.
HOW IT WORKED
From Aug. 29 through Sept. 25, shoppers worldwide automatically earned an entry in the sweepstakes when they used their card twice at military exchanges (including online) and twice at any commissary.
The grand-prize winners — one from each military branch of service — each received $5,000.
WINNERS
“It’s huge, we were not expecting this at all,” said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Ochoa, who received his grand prize at the Spangdahlem AB, Germany, Exchange on Dec. 19.
“We use our Military Star card pretty much any time we’re on base, and to see programs like this really give back to families makes a big difference in quality of life and morale,” he noted.
Besides Ochoa, grand-prize winners included:
Army spouse Veronica Hildebrand, who received her prize at the Belle Chasse Main Navy Exchange, La.
Space Force Tech Sgt. Anthony Rodriguez, who was presented with his prize at the Grand Forks Exchange, N.D.
Retired Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Billy Abrams, who received his prize at the Edwards AFB Exchange, Calif.
Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Melvin Torres, who received his prize at the Navy Exchange at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Marine Corps Master Sgt. Troy Grassi, who received his prize at the Camp Foster Exchange in Okinawa.
“The holidays are all about giving, and Military Star is honored to make the season brighter for those who serve,” said Joseph Todd, Exchange Credit Program senior vice president (SVP).
“These sweepstakes winners represent the incredible dedication of our military community, and we’re thrilled to celebrate them with a little extra cheer,” he added.
THE CARD
The Military Star Card is an exclusive line of credit for service members and their families to use at exchanges and commissaries — no matter where they serve.
The card is administered by AAFES. For more information see a store associate or visit https://aafes.media/militarystar25.
Source: AAFES
Edited by Larry Lapka
