It is so hard to believe that we are celebrating Thanksgiving this week! Time has really flown. I try to be mindful of counting my blessings daily, but Thanksgiving brings a special focus on the good things in life – family, health, well-being, peace, justice, independence, and, of course, amazing food. This year I am truly thankful for my job here at the Lake Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce, for the amazing and progressive businesses in our region and for all of the wonderful and unique communities surrounding Lake Gaston.
Besides being thankful, spending time with family, and eating well (and perhaps far too much), Thanksgiving and the weekend after are also time for the holiday shopping season to really kick into high gear. The Lake Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce signed up with the American Express Shop Small Saturday on November 30 (always the Saturday after Black Friday). We appreciate the message that American Express is sending about shopping with local businesses that day. On the campaign website, it states, “Small businesses are the heartbeat of our communities. They’re the corner stores that create jobs. The hardware stores that help build our economy. And the mom and pop shops whose very presence makes a neighborhood, your neighborhood.” Visit ShopSmall.com for more information.
Their message is reflective of our Shop Lake Gaston First for the Holidays contest and campaign. Why are we having this contest, you ask? The Shop Lake Gaston First for the Holidays contest is the kick-off for our year-round campaign to Shop Lake Gaston First. We want the residents of the five-county Lake Gaston region to think of spending their dollars primarily within the region for services, products, gifts etc. In that way, the dollar turns over, generating local tax revenue, supporting local businesses and creating jobs! There is nothing you have to do, but to spend the dollars that you would have spent anyway here locally. Then show us your receipts, so we can celebrate with you!
Let me take a moment to remind you about the details of the Shop Lake Gaston First for the Holidays contest. For every $100 worth of receipts or utility bills ($30 here, $35 there, $10 here, $25 there) spent from November 1-December 18 (receipts/bills must be within this date range) with any Lake Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce member (consult a membership directory or www.lakegastonchamber.com for most current listing), you receive one entry into the contest. Receipts will be stamped and returned to you.
Just a reminder that in addition to your gift or product purchases, your groceries can count (Food Lion on Eaton Ferry Road is a new Chamber member), your fuel can count (many local gas stations are members), dining out counts (at member restaurants), your power bill for November and December can count (several regional power companies are members), your phone bill for November and December can count (check to make sure your provider is a Chamber member), your dental or medical bill can count (if service is rendered between Nov. 1-Dec. 18), a repair or improvement can count (if a Chamber member is used). If you don’t get a receipt, show us your bill. What’s important is that you are supporting our Lake Gaston regional businesses!
You can enter at any of six locations around the Lake Gaston region:
Lake Gaston Chamber of Commerce, 2357 Eaton Ferry Road, Littleton - open for contest entries Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lake Gaston Gazette-Observer, 378 Lizard Creek Road, Littleton - open for contest entries Wednesday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Lake Gaston Flower Shop, 4209 Gasburg Road, Gasburg - open for contest entries Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to Noon
Sanders Super Stop, 6328 Gasburg Road, Valentines – open for contest entries Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Friday & Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
A Bird’s Eye View, 110 E. South Main Street, Littleton - open for contest entries Monday, Wednesday & Thursday (closed Tuesday) from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Fridays & Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Martin Exterminating, 1780 Roanoke Avenue, Roanoke Rapids - open for contest entries Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For big ticket items, the maximum number of entries for one item is 10 (for example, a $5,000 piece of jewelry = 10 entries). The receipts can be for groceries (Let us pause a moment to welcome Food Lion of Lake Gaston as a new Chamber member), dining out, fuel (for home or auto), services (electricity, repairs, home improvement), or gifts purchased from any Lake Gaston Chamber member. You will have the chance to win several prizes including gift cards and gift certificates to many Lake Gaston Chamber members just in time for last-minute shopping. The drawing will be held at 4:30 p.m. on December 19 at the Lake Gaston Gazette-Observer office. You DO NOT need to be present to win. Winners will be notified via the information given on their entry form.
Let’s keep the economic engine in our five-county Lake Gaston region running strong! Support our regional Lake Gaston businesses that in turn support our communities and employ our citizens! Shop Lake Gaston First.
