Gainesville native wins Patriotic photo contest.
Cheryl Anthony will enjoy an all-expense paid VIP stock car racing experience as part of summer-long Kangaroo Express Salute Our Troops fundraising campaign
Kangaroo Express, operated by The Pantry Inc. announced that Cheryl Anthony, a Gainesville, Fla. native, has been named the official winner of its “Double Salute” patriotic photo contest grand prize.
The prize includes an all-expense paid trip for two, VIP stock car racing experience and meet and greet with legendary driver Kyle Busch at the big race in Bristol, Tenn. on Aug. 23.
As part of the fourth-annual Kangaroo Express Salute Our Troops campaign, the “Double Salute” social media contest honors those that display their patriotic pride this summer. Fans were invited to submit their most patriotic photos to the “Double Salute” social media contest tab located on Kangaroo Express’ Facebook page and the photo with the most votes was selected for the grand prize package.
Anthony’s winning photo submission displays her son, an active duty member of the United States Navy, saluting USMC Cpl. Sean Adams, a former classmate of Anthony’s son and a close family friend, who was seriously wounded in 2012 by an I.E.D. in Afghanistan. The ensuing injuries resulted in Cpl. Adams’ loss of both legs and portions of his hands, vision and hearing loss, as well as severe arm muscle tissue damage. The picture was taken during a neighborhood Memorial Day parade in Gainesville, Fla., shortly after Cpl. Adams’ incident.
“I love this picture because even though both young men chose different paths with the military, they are still ‘brothers in arms,’ classmates, and best of friends,” said Anthony of her winning photo submission.
Anthony will also have the honor of enjoying the race with American military hero, Marine Master Sgt. Blaine Scott. On August 2006, MSgt. Scott was hit with an I.E.D in Iraq, where three of his comrades died and another three were injured. He was transferred to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, after suffering a broken ankle and foot and enduring severe third-degree burns to his head, face, arms and legs. MSgt. Scott remains active duty and returned from another deployment in Afghanistan after several successful surgeries. He is currently stationed at Brooke Army Medical Center.
Kangaroo Express has been collecting donations for the Salute Our Troops fundraising campaign through its more than 1,500 convenience stores across 13 states this summer. Store guests and communities can demonstrate their united support for military personnel and their families by making donations through Labor Day, ending on Sept. 2.
During that time, 10 cents of every 15-stick pack of Wrigley gum sold at any Kangaroo Express store will be contributed to the Salute Our Troops campaign.
The Salute Our Troops campaign will support American Red Cross Service to Armed Forces, providing emergency communications, comfort and assistance to military, veterans and their families; Fisher House Foundation, donating “comfort homes” at major military and VA medical centers that enable military families to be close to a loved one during hospitalization; the United States Veterans Corps, a corps of military veterans, spouses, dependents and patriotic citizens performing hands-on community service with a mission and deployment attitude, as well as six state-based military support organizations.
The six state-based organizations benefiting from the campaign span five states throughout the Southeast and include the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of Tennessee Auxiliary Soldier Airman Relief Fund, Florida National Guard Foundation, Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation, Soldiers and Airmen Assistance Fund of North Carolina, South Carolina Military Family Care Association and the USO of North Carolina.