Port Alberni shoppers will be rewarded this holiday season for shopping locally.
Area businesses have been asked to make a donation that will be used to reward those who choose to spend their money in the Alberni Valley.
As part of the Shop Local Campaign, the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce is busy preparing for 24 Days of Christmas. Local businesses who participate will hand over as many $100 gift cards for their store as they choose.
Between Dec. 1 and 24, a chamber staff member or volunteer will visit participating businesses each day and hand out at least one gift card.
Chamber executive director Bill Collette said the volunteer or staff member will track down the store manager, then together they will approach the first customer they see at the checkout. If that person is a Port Alberni resident, they will receive a $100 gift card.
Collette said he will try to choose businesses that are not a direct competition for the store being visited that day.
"We've always done some sort of Shop Local campaign," Collette said. "We want to reward people for shopping locally. With other programs, there was reward, but this year the reward will be spontaneous."
Collette said 15 local businesses have committed to the campaign, so far, and every person he has talked to is in full support of the idea.
"One business has committed to three gift cards and I have a couple restaurants on board," Collette said. "The $100 gift card is like a little investment."
Collette said there are spinoffs to the program as well, including the possibility of some advertising for the chamber and the businesses.
"We're hoping the person who wins will be surprised, and hopefully they will go home and post it on Facebook," he said. Collette added that the social media site is a great way to promote businesses.
Among the committed businesses is Home Hardware. Owner Jan Lavertu is thrilled with the idea.
"I think it's an awesome idea. We're always trying to find ideas to promote the shop local movement," he said.
Lavertu said another possibility is that it may result in new customers, especially if the winner gets a gift certificate to a store they have never been to.
Each year, the AVCOC organizes some type of Shop Local Campaign in an effort to help keep Port Alberni residents shopping in the Alberni Valley, particularly during the holiday season.
If businesses are interested in signing up for the 24 Days of Christmas campaign, they are encouraged to contact Collette at the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce at 250-724-6535.
