Don Kuhl, a Phoenix native, U.S. Air Force veteran, and civil servant, secured the most public votes and won an a/c unit in the giveaway, which honors the sacrifices of local veterans, active-duty service members, and their families, a press release from Forrest Anderson said.

“This is incredible. An a/c unit, especially these days, is of such value. It is so expensive compared to 10 years ago, and we would never be able to afford it,” said Kuhl in the release. “I am so grateful for my family, gaming friends, and fellow veterans for voting for me, and thank you, Forrest Anderson team.”

Kuhl served as a staff sergeant in the Air Force from 1989 to 1998 and served in the first Gulf War. He is currently a civilian employee at Luke Air Force Base, where he designs training devices to help crews learn how to use their aircraft.

In his spare time, Kuhl loves to hang out with family and friends and plays video games as a way to connect with friends online. Kuhl is currently in the process of renovating his childhood home, where he lives with his partner of more than 13 years.

“This giveaway serves as a humble token of gratitude for Don's dedicated service to our country and local community,” said Audrey Monell, president of Forrest Anderson. “We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the finalists this year, and by sharing their stories, we aim to provide support and shed light on the significance of our military community. We are profoundly grateful for their service and the sacrifices they've made for our country.”

Forrest Anderson will replace Kuhl’s old unit with a brand-new unit, fully installed. As part of the surprise, Cameron Davis, president of Razor Thin Media, presented him with an additional cash prize of $500. Runner-up Jeanette Garcia of Avondale won a free a/c tuneup.

Since 2016, Forrest Anderson has worked with local partners to sponsor the Military Hero Giveaway, each year around Veterans Day, because of the health risks of living without air conditioning in Arizona.