For the past twelve weeks, Avilla Area Chamber hosted its annual shop local holiday campaign. The initiative normally lasts six weeks. This year, the chamber felt it was important to emphasize keeping dollars local for a longer timeframe, with the desire to help stimulate the local economy.
During the campaign, ” ‘Tis Always the Season to Shop Local’, anyone who spent money in Noble County from September 19 to December 13 was encouraged to scan or snap a picture of their receipts and turn them in online to the chamber, using its website, to enter to win one of four giveaways. Each receipt received was the equivalent of one entry, however, if the receipt was from an Avilla Area Chamber member, it represented two entries into the campaign’s giveaway.
There were four giveaways, which were awarded every three weeks during the campaign. Prizes included swag, handcrafted items, merchandise, and gift cards from Avilla Area Chamber members and sponsors, Black and Ramer Insurance, Silver Horse Social, Soap & Suds Carwash + Laundry, Case Family Taxes, and Noble County Convention & Visitors Bureau. All prize packages were valued at at least $250 each.
This year’s winners, who were randomly selected, were Taylor F., Karen S., Pat L., and Tracy J. The initiative showed that over $17,000 was spent at Noble County businesses during the duration of the the twelve weeks.