Jodie DeLeon said she could not contain her surprise when she found out she was this year’s winner of the third annual Wiesbaden commissary shopping spree that was held April 18.

“I was like, no … way. You’ve got to be … kidding me,” said DeLeon as colleagues greeted her as she entered the Army Community Service facility where she volunteers.

The morning of the spree, DeLeon went for nonperishable items such as olive oils, spices, laundry detergent, dog food, hygiene and health and beauty products. Her game plan was to start with the rice, because “my husband said that we should prepare for an apocalypse.”
A winded and contented DeLeon sat for a second to catch her breath after the spree was done and waited as the cashier totalled the lot.

After the subtotal passed the $1,520 mark she let out a big cheer. “Yes. ... I just wanted to beat last year’s total. I’m a little competitive,” she said, continuing to cheer after the grand total of $1,777.57 was announced.
“This is one thing we do to show appreciation of our community volunteers,” said Earl McFarland, Volunteer Program manager, of the shopping spree sponsored by the commissary and its vendors.

Published April 26, 2012