MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Just about everyone could benefit from a little extra cash this time of year. The Army & Air Force Exchange Service made sure that's what retired Sgt. 1st Class Jose Serrano Juarbe got-$5,000 of it.
Exchange and commissary leaders awarded Serrano Juarbe, a Lutz, Fla., resident, with his prize on Dec. 10 at the MacDill Exchange.
"I couldn't believe it when they called," Serrano Juarbe said. "I've had some bad luck lately with my car breaking down, so this is a godsend."
By using his MILITARY STAR card at both the Exchange and the commissary during the sweepstakes period, the MacDill soldier was automatically entered into the MILITARY STARR Home for the Holidays Sweepstakes. Five winners-one from each branch of the military-were randomly selected and received $5,000, and Serrano Juarbe was selected from all the Army entries.
"We love finding ways to thank and appreciate our service members," said Exchange General Manager James Clark. "Being able to give Sgt. Serrano Juarbe this surprise right before the holidays is a wonderful way to celebrate the season."
Serrano Juarbe passes by MacDill Air Force Base on his way to work and stops by the commissary most mornings to grab snacks, always using his MILITARY STAR card. The commissary began accepting MILITARY STAR in late 2017.
"I think being able to use MILITARY STAR at the commissary is the greatest thing they've done because now you can use the same card when you go to the Exchange and the commissary," he said.
Serrano Juarbe plans to use his winnings toward replacing his car.
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 Army & Air Force Exchange Service collaborated with the Navy Exchange, Marine Corps Exchange, Coast Guard Exchange and the Defense Commissary Agency to sponsor the sweepstakes and extend participation to MILITARY STAR cardholders shopping at their facilities.