This week, Navy Federal Credit Union announced the winners of its first Operation Joyride Sweepstakes, which allowed eligible auto finance contract holders to submit an entry for their chance to win a grand prize of $30,000 toward their Navy Federal retail installment contract.

Members also had the chance to win a first-place prize of $15,000 and a second-place prize of $5,000.

The grand prize winner was Travis Wolf, a Navy chief officer and father of two who used a portion of his $30,000 winnings to pay off more than $13,000 of an existing balance on his 2019 Ford Edge. The remaining money went to his checking account, according to a news release.

Wolf has been a Navy Federal Credit Union member for nearly 25 years, and his two sons — one of whom is currently serving in the Air Force — are also Navy Federal members.

“I would have never expected to be entered into a sweepstakes and actually win,” Wolf said in the news release. “My family and I are both extremely grateful and thankful for this, it couldn’t have come at a better time. It allowed us number one to pay off our vehicle loan, which was awesome, and it also allowed us to take the rest of the money. It gave us a little bit of financial freedom.”

Operation Joyride’s first-place winner Alejandro (Alex) Magana Jr. is a proud father and hardworking waste management employee in the San Diego area. With his $15,000 win, Navy Federal said Magana was able to pay down almost half of his outstanding auto finance balance.

“I have been a loyal member of Navy Federal for well over 5 years,” Magana said in the news release. “When entering this sweepstake, I didn’t think much of it. I figured my chances of winning were slim to none. I am very blessed to have received this prize as it has help lower my current car payment by more than half! Thank you so much! I am happy to be a part of the best credit union!”

Joe Pendergast is vice president of consumer lending at Navy Federal Credit Union.

“I’m extremely excited for the winners of our sweepstakes,” Pendergast said. “Our members mean everything to us, and we’re committed to providing tools to help them meet their financial goals through every phase of life. Sometimes our tools may be in the form of online calculators and articles, and sometimes they might look like $30,000 of prize money. The bottom line is it’s all for the members.”