WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- When homeless people in the Cincinnati area soon receive items like new socks, shoes, hoodies, mats and sleeping bags, they'll have a 14-year-old girl associated with Wright-Patterson Air Force Base to thank.

Holly Thill, daughter of Lt. Col. Joseph Thill, deputy director of the Systems Technology Office, Air Force Research Laboratory, and Dr. Bridget Thill, a former Air Force physician, won two $1,000 gift cards in the Army and Air Force Exchange Service's worldwide "You Made the Grade" sweepstakes. She chose to spend a part of her prize to purchase Exchange items homeless people need and donate them to an area ministry she learned of through her church, Emmanuel Catholic Church, in Dayton.

The home-schooled eighth-grader with excellent grades received her prize Feb. 5 at the Wright-Patterson Main Exchange store from Col. David Kretz, 88th Mission Support Group commander, and Exchange officials Donald Walter Jr. and Christy Beenenga.

"If I was a teenager who won, I'd probably be looking at a new computer or something like that," Kretz told the Beavercreek resident, "but to be so giving and donate a portion of your $2,000 prize to buy blankets and cold weather gear for the homeless, speaks volumes about you as a person and your parents as well. On behalf of Col. John Devillier, 88th Air Base Wing commander, I can tell you we're exceptionally proud of you. More than anything, we're proud you're part of our local community."

The eldest of seven children, Holly plans to buy herself a curling iron and hair care items for her sister.

Giving at least 10 percent of anything she receives to others has been instilled in the soccer and basketball player as one of her family's core values. A teen group at her church, the Works in Ministry, featured speaker Amy Tincher several months ago. Tincher works with a ministry for the homeless in southwestern Ohio, and told the teens that 40 percent of homeless people are veterans.

"I thought, 'Here's an opportunity to make their lives just a little bit better,'" Holly said of her prize. 

She said she enjoys biology and is studying the human brain right now - inspired by her mother's medical background.

"I'm very proud of her," Dr. Thill said. "She is learning, in a concrete way, how to love her neighbor and to serve others."

"I couldn't be prouder of my daughter and her selfless act to take care of our military veterans who most need it," Col. Thill said. "She is truly living out her Christian values."

"I am very grateful to everyone who made this possible," Holly said.

Kretz added, "Holly talks about the miracle of the human brain, but the size of her heart is pretty amazing as well. Thank you for your generous spirit." 

The colonel awarded an 88 MSG coin to Holly to acknowledge her good deed.

"The Exchange is excited to reward Holly for her dedication to her schoolwork," Beenenga said. "The fact that she wants to donate part of her winnings to charity is amazing. It's refreshing to see someone so young understand the importance of looking out for those who need help the most." 

Through the Exchange's You Made the Grade program, first- through 12th-graders with a B average or higher are eligible to receive a coupon book filled with Exchange discounts and a sweepstakes entry form for a shot at a $2,000, $1,500 or $500 prize. The program is intended to reward military students who excel in the classroom. Those who enter must be dependents of authorized Exchange shoppers.