FORT GREGG-ADAMS, Va. - The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) joins communities across the world in celebrating the Month of the Military Child in April.

For nearly 40 years, supporters from public and private organizations have come together for annual events and activities to honor military children and the sacrifices they make.

"Young people growing up in military families understand the meaning of service before self," said Navy Command Master Chief Mario Rivers, senior enlisted advisor to the DeCA director. "Their courage and resilience inspire us all, and DeCA is proud to recognize the important role they play in military communities."

Featured among DeCA's April events is the "Spreading Joy Around the World" drawing and writing contest for those 18-years-old and younger. To enter the contest, the children of authorized commissary patrons must submit a drawing or written description of a unique experience they have had as a military child.

Each store location will have one winner in the writing category and one in the drawing category, for a total of two winners per store location. To enter, visit corp.commissaries.com/military-child-month and download the activity card.

Entrants may also visit the customer service desk at their local commissary to obtain an activity card. Entries will be accepted at local commissary customer service desks April 1-30. There is a limit of one entry per child.

All entries must also include the first and last name of the artist/writer, age, email and phone number. Parents must also complete the accompanying photo release authorization form to display their child's work in the store if their submission wins.

Each store will determine whether the activity cards of the winners will be displayed. Late entrants or entrants without complete information as noted above will not be accepted. DeCA employees and their family members are not eligible to participate in the contest.

Each commissary is responsible for selecting winners and contacting them by phone or email. Winners will receive a prize by May 31, 2024. No purchase is necessary to enter or win.

By entering, participants grant DeCA and its industry suppliers full rights to use all materials and information. All entries become the property of DeCA and will not be acknowledged or returned. A copy of these rules and the activity card can be found at corp.commissaries.com/military-child-month.

Commissary customers are encouraged to check with their local commissary store and https://corp.commissaries.com/ for other programs supporting the Month of the Military Child.

RULES AND ELIGIBILITY

Two winners will be selected per store.

Employees and dependents of the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) to include members of their immediate family - i.e., spouse, mother, father, in-laws, grandmother, grandfather, brother, sister, children, and grandchildren - or those living in the same household are not eligible to participate in the contest.

2.  Entrants may visit: https://corp.commissaries.com/military-child-month and download the pdf. or visit the Commissary store Commissary Customer Service to obtain an Activity Card. Entries will be accepted at the Commissary Customer Service Office fromApril 1-30, 2024.

3. Entrants for the contest will draw or write about a unique experience they had as a military child and submit it to the Commissary Customer Service Counter by April 30, 2024. Entries must include:

• First and last name of the artist/writer
• Age
• Email
• Phone number
• Parents must complete the enclosed photo release authorization form to display in the store if their submission wins.

(Each store will determine whether the activity cards of the winners will be displayed).

Late entrants or entrants without complete information as noted above will not be accepted.

Each Commissary is responsible for selecting winners and contacting them by phone or email. Winners will receive a joy prize pack by May 31, 2024.  No purchase is necessary to enter or win. Limit one entry per child. By entering, you grant the Defense Commissary Agency and industry full rights to use all materials and information. All entries become the property of the Defense Commissary Agency and will not be acknowledged or returned. A copy of these rules and the activity card can be found at https://corp.commissaries.com/military-child-month.