Her prize was presented at the Spirit of Christmas celebration in downtown Gresham at the Center for the Arts Plaza on Saturday, Dec. 3rd.

Many Thanks to Our Giveaway Sponsors

Accents on Attitude
ICandy
Sizzler
Smiddys Carpet Cleaning
Abby’s Pizza
Rewind
Proforma Prosource
All Aout Kids
Free Spirit
Olympic Gym
Tails of Abbygail
Creative Vision Landscape
Of the Chart Games
Mt. Hood Lanes
The Outlook
Jamba Juice
Dickey’s Bar
Fab50Project

With Black Friday and Small Business Saturday just around the corner – holiday shopping is about to commence. One more fruitcake or Chia Pet – NO THANK YOU! As the holidays approach we all have the opportunity to make choices about where we shop. True, it can be tempting to call the number on the TV screen or make purchases online, but is that really the best thing for our local economy? Does this really provide the wow factor that is the reason for giving? This year get creative!!!

Everyone—yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local barber or hairdresser or perhaps a gym membership? Who couldn’t use a little more exercise!

Are you one of those extravagant givers who thinks nothing of plunking down the Benjamin’s for imported electronics? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, his lawn mowed for the summer, or a round of golf at a local golf course. Could your computer use a tune-up? Most of ours can — think of using a local businessman who is striving to get his computer repair business up and running.

Everyone loves to eat – celebrate our local eateries by giving gift certificates to local restaurants. The recipient can eat, drink and be merry while stimulating the economy with a tip for the local employee.

Looking for something more personal? Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit handmade items such as scarves and hats. They make jewelry and pottery…and an endless list of other beautiful products. For those people who have everything, consider giving to a local charity in your family or friend’s name.

If you need help finding a local business or charity call the Gresham Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center or visit www.greshamchamber.org. We would be happy to help you find a business that suits your needs.

Happy Holidays from Try Local First and the Chamber!!

P.S. By shopping locally you are supporting your local community. Remember the job you save may be your neighbors!

Giving Back

The first thing Kim did with her winning check of $1,000 was to make a donation that will provide 600 pounds of food for local families. That is just one of the great things that happen when you Try Local First local charities are supported in the most part by local businesses so when you buy local chances are you are helping to support local non-profits and charities.

Kim knows about that on the other side also as her husband, Michael is an owner of a small business in downtown Gresham and his business Sole Position Internet Marketing is always one to step-up and help local causes! Congratulations! Kim we know you are having a great time this Holiday Season shopping in East County.

We care a great deal about our local economy and want it to prosper in good times and bad.

That is why we are giving away an East County Stimulus. It’s our very own stimulus package for East Multnomah County.

Entering is Easy

Simply visit Enter to Win page and either fill our our online entry form or download our paper entry form, and you’ll be entered. You can enter once a day.

It’s that easy!

Spread the Word

Help spread the word about our contest by sharing this post with your family and friends, so they too can learn more about TryLocalFirst.org.

The contest runs from June 15th – July 25th.

The program will be promoted to our previous thousands of contestants who entered to win our two “$1,000 Shopping Sprees” (one in the Fall of 2008 and one in 2009) and last summer’s “Discover East County Packages”.

It will also be promoted locally by all Coalition Members of Try Local First with information regarding the contest being promoted in local newspaper and on the Try Local First contest page as well as the Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce website and other Coalition members websites.

The promotion will begin in mid June and entries will be accepted for 30 days. Winners will be selected based on the previously selected guidelines and presented at the Center for the Arts Plaza “Street Dance” event the last weekend of July.

Those businesses that contribute prizes to the “East County Stimulus Package” will be listed on the Try Local First website and those that contribute prizes with a retail value of $100 or more will receive a link to their website, if requested. They will also be mentioned in as many promotional materials and presentations as possible.

The goal of the contest is to promote East County businesses as well as local events that contribute to the economic well being of our community.

The Gresham Barlow Education Foundation presents the 2010 Bagels & Books event with Oregon author Phillip Margolin, New York Times best selling author of Gone, But Not Forgotten.

Phillip’s other books include:
Supreme Justice
Fugitive
Executive Privilege
Proof Positive
Lost Lake
Sleeping Beauty
Ties That Bind
The Associate
Wild Justice
The Undertaker’s Widow
The Burning Man
After Dark
Gone, But Not Forgotten
The Last Innocent Man
Heartstone

The event will be held at Grace Community Church, 800 SE Hogan in Gresham.

Please RSVP to attend this event by Friday May 21st to the Gresham Barlow Education Foundation at 503.766.0008 or info@gbefkids.org.

Check out the event sponsors:

• Jazzy Bagels
• Books 4 Giving
• Shammai Rockove, M.D.
• Honke Heating
• Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center
• Historic Downtown Gresham Kiwanis Club

Just show your key tag to the business sponsors listed on the web-site start saving money today and support your local businesses at the same time.