Retired Johnstown, PA Steel Worker Wins Million Dollar Prize

February 25, 2011

Alan Whysong wins Dollar General’s Country Million Sweepstakes

Retired steel worker and lifelong resident of Johnstown, Pa., Alan Whysong, awakes to a new life as the winner of Dollar General’s “Country Million” Sweepstakes.

“It’s just overwhelming,” said Whysong. “You go to bed one night with no money and wake up the next morning with more than you ever imagined. It’s hard to grasp.”

As the sweepstake’s grand prize winner, Dollar General (NYSE: DG) awarded Whysong the $1 million prize as well as a trip to Nashville to meet Grammy® award-winning country superstar Gretchen Wilson at the Grand Ole Opry tonight.

The husband, father and grandfather shops regularly at the Dollar General store located at 1515 Shoemaker Street in Nanty Glo, Pa., where he made the winning purchase.

“I buy all my groceries, paper and cleaning products at Dollar General,” said Whysong, who shops at the store once or twice a week. “We love shopping there around the holidays and especially Christmas when we can always find great toys for the grandkids.”

“I remember the store manager encouraging everyone at check out to call in and register with a special number on the store receipt,” said Whysong. “I don’t usually have much luck with these things so I made the call and forgot about it.”

Realizing his luck has changed for the better, Whysong plans to use some of his winnings to pay off the mortgage on his home, save for the future and do some traveling with his wife Susan.

Whysong is retired after 20 years of service building railroad cars and recently started working part-time as a security guard.

Country music star Gretchen Wilson helped Dollar General promote the sweepstakes, which kicked off in Dollar General stores Oct. 3 and ran through Dec. 15, 2010. Through the “Country Million” sweepstakes, Dollar General awarded more than 5,500 prizes. Other prizes awarded through the sweepstakes include cash, Gretchen Wilson CDs and Dollar General gift cards.

About Dollar General Corporation

Dollar General Corporation has been delivering value to shoppers for more than 70 years. Dollar General helps shoppers Save time. Save money. Every day!(R) by offering products that are frequently used and replenished, such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids, cleaning supplies, basic apparel, house wares and seasonal items at low everyday prices in convenient neighborhood locations. With more than 9,200 stores in 35 states, Dollar General has more retail locations than any retailer in America. In addition to high quality private brands, Dollar General sells products from America's most-trusted manufacturers such as Procter & Gamble, Kimberly-Clark, Unilever, Kellogg's, General Mills, Nabisco, Hanes, PepsiCo and Coca-Cola. Learn more about Dollar General at www.dollargeneral.com.