Golden’s Rotary Club will launch a new program to stir up Christmas spirit and support locals businesses and the Kicking Horse Chamber of Commerce.
Starting on Saturday, Dec. 12, and running for 12 days until Christmas Eve, people who shop local will have the opportunity to enter their name into a draw for the chance to win gift certificates to local businesses.
If you shop local, take a photo of your receipt and submit it to rotarychristmas2020@gmail.com with your name to enter into a draw.
Each day Rotary will be giving away two $100 gift certificates to local businesses, except for Dec. 18 and Dec. 24, where five $200 gift certificates will be given out.
One entry per day per person is allowed.
“It’s all about shopping and supporting local and supporting the chamber as well,” said Rotary member Isabelle Simard.
“The bottom line is let’s support local people who call our community home.”
The contest is being funded by Rotary from different fundraising events in the past.
“We want to give back to everyone that has supported us over the years,” said Simard. “By creating this event, we can get some money into local businesses and get some cheer in a bleak looking Christmas period and hopefully engage the community a bit, which is great for morale in town.”
It’s being administered by the Rotary Youth Skills program participants, who are the ones organizing the contest behind the scenes and purchasing the gift certificates.
Rotary is hoping that the opportunity will help youth in the program realize that there are many great ways to get involved in the community, from serving soup to seniors to stimulating local economy.
Rotary will be continuing their bingo nights throughout the 12 days as well, with Simard saying the response to the popular online game has been outstanding.
“It helps connect people and people are happy even when they don’t win,” said Simard.
It’s that kind of feeling that Rotary is hoping they can replicate with their 12 Days of Christmas contest.
Further details will be published in next week’s edition of the Golden Star with a full list of criteria and rules for those who are interested in participating.
