Shopping Spree Winner Gloria Smith with Try Local First's Bess Willis

Gloria Smith noticed the brightly green wrapped boxes in local stores last Christmas (2008) and she filled out a form and entered to win the local $1,000 Shopping Spree.

Then later on in the year she entered to win a Discover East County Package and when she heard the winners announced at the 4th of July Blue Lake Park Fireworks Event she did not hear her name but was impressed to see that yes someone did win and these Try Local First promotions were for real. So when she received the e-mail announcing the 2009 Shopping Spree Event she took the time to enter once again.

Life gets busy and Gloria was over halfway across the United States caring for a sister that was having eye surgery when she visited a local library to check her e-mail – yes, Gloria, there is a Santa Claus as what to her wondering eyes did appear an e-mail from Try Local First stating that she was the winner of the 2009 $1,000 Shopping Spree. Persistence does pay and a little good karma doesn’t hurt either.

Speaking of good karma and paying it forward, when asked what she intended to do with her Holiday Spree the first words out of her mouth were that she was going to her local Church and get some Angels off the tree – you see each Angel has a child’s name who needs a little something this Christmas and Gloria was happy to spend a portion of her $1,000 helping other less fortunate have a little brighter Christmas.

And, of course she intends to spend the entire $1,000 locally because she understands that will enable someone else to spend local and the circle of local economic health stays well and those locally in need are given assistance. Try Local First is truly a happy ending story that had no ending if we all make that extra effort to spend our resources in East County!

Hallie Exall is the winner of our Try Local First back to school essay contest for grades 7-12.

The Winning Essay

When shopping, I think of the benefits and drawbacks of where I choose to spend my money. I ask myself, “Is the pricing appropriate? Does it benefit the environment?” and “How will this stimulate the economy in my community?”

I live by Fairview Lane, so my family’s spending money is mostly dispersed among local, smaller businesses. This, in turn, helps East County because most of the money is kept in our community.

This benefits me, as well as others, because non-profit organizations (such as Relay for Life or the Salvation Army) have more money to reach out to those being affected by the organization’s cause.

Residents in our community benefit from local businesses by becoming employed. Environmentally, local businesses have less of an environmental footprint because they usually buy from local suppliers which saves them shipping money, while at the same time, saves the planet. Because they buy from local farmers, it helps and contributes to our local farmers. Consumers have healthier choices because our local farmers don’t use as many preservatives. They also save agricultural land, which therefore is less likely to be zoned in other ways.

With local businesses, come local business owners. They are more likely to stay, which keeps our community employed while stimulating our local economy. The more money we disperse locally, the safe our community. Our tax dollars turn into functioning police, fire and public services. The better function our services are, the safe and happier our community in East Multnomah County is.

Try Local First thanks all our contest entries for their their enthusiasm in supporting their local economy!

Bree Boertien is the winner of our Try Local First back to school essay contest for grades 1-6.

The Winning Essay

How To Save Gresham

You can help save Gresham by doing a lot. So, don’t take a long shower. We can use that water to water farms and fields.

Start shopping locally. My mom and I recycle and don’t waste water. Help farmers by not wasting water that can help water plants. This can help save our planet. Don’t drive too much. That pollutes our air. It can kill many animals.

Buy stuff in Gresham so people don’t lose their jobs, just like my mom, so you can help my mom get a job. Together, we can save our planet! And if you buy in Gresham and make it safer, then Gresham will be safer. Use the R’s Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Save our planet!

Try Local First thanks all our contest entries for their their enthusiasm in supporting their local economy!

Try Local First's Bess Wills with Family package winner Kelli Kang

Her winning package includes:

• A 6 month membership for a family of four at Olympic Gym
• A Beat the Heat VIP Treatment which includes a 12 second drag car session, tower tour, & dinner at Portland International Raceway -
• A pool party for 40 people, 1 family summer month at the club, & 5 tanning sessions at Cascade Water Park
• 1 hour massage & chiropractic adjustment at Rinnovare
• 1 free Avis 7 passenger car rental
• A special photo package from Lents Photography
• 1 seasonal pairings basket from Spice Sisters
• Books donated by the Reynolds School District
• 1 free pet wash at Pup Scrub
• An Office Depot gift card courtesy of Mums Florist
• and a Rodda Paint gift certificate

We wish to thank all of our generous sponsors, and all our fellow East County Residents who entered our Discover East County Contest. Thank you, and remember always to Try Local First!

Couples/Romance Package Winner Danielle Lavasseur with Try Local First's Bess Willis

Her winning package includes:

• A 3 month membership and 3 months of jacuzzi steam room at Olympic Gym
• A 1 hour flight simulator at Troutdale Airport courtesy of Gorge Winds
• 1 night stay & dining at the “Resort at the Mountain” donated by CP Trips
• 30 tanning sessions & 1 haircut at Nails On First & Hair 2
• Homemade dessert or soup delivered by Gresham Area AAUW
• 1 hour Thai massage at Rinnovare
• 1 free Avis weekend car rental
• A special photo package from Lents Photography
• 2 Tickets to the Mt Hood Repertory Theatre
• A gift certificate to Gresham Acupuncture
• A gift certificate to Elegantly Funky

We wish to thank all of our generous sponsors, and all our fellow East County Residents who entered our Discover East County Contest. Thank you, and remember always to Try Local First!

All About Me Package Winner Shirley Olson

Her winning package includes:

• A 3 month membership and 3 months unlimited tanning sessions at Olympic Gym
• A personalized interior consultation with Decora Interiors
• A spa treatment for her car courtesy of Gresham Ford
• Caviar facial & SkinTyte laser treatment at Rinnovare
• 1 Free Avis Weekend Car Rental
• A special photo package from Lents Photography
• A personal massage w/ Tami Serhan donated by Alter Ego
• and a special package courtesy of Dr. Ramsey Chiropractic

We wish to thank all of our generous sponsors, and all our fellow East County Residents who entered our Discover East County Contest. Thank you, and remember always to Try Local First!

JIM CLARK / Gresham Outlook

We had over 6,000 entries in the Try Local First Shopping Spree drawing for a $1,000. We are pleased to announce that Delores Porch of Gresham won! Congratulations Delores!

The Gresham Outlook has a great article about Delores that you can read.