Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
A fun annual initiative is being reintroduced to Peace River, starting Nov. 1.
Peace River Chamber of Commerce executive director Reilly Bassendowski says the Passport to Christmas is making its way back to the community, to help support local businesses.
“It’s a good way to promote shopping local during one of the busiest shopping seasons of the year and it allows businesses an opportunity to give something back to their customers,” explains Bassendowski.
“Small towns are built on their small businesses and at the Chamber of Commerce we think it’s important to celebrate, recognize and encourage our local small businesses.”
Bassendowski says she is excited to announce there are 64 businesses taking part in the Passport to Christmas this year.
“Just pick up a blank passport at any participating business, you get one stamp for entering a participating business and then one stamp for every $10 that you spend,” she explains.
“Every time you fill a passport with stamps you drop it off at a dropbox location to be entered to win one of two prizes.”
The last date to submit filled in passports is Dec. 14. Bassendowski urges residents to shop locally as much as they can and take advantage of the initiative.
“It’s important for people to shop local, buy local,” she stresses.
“It might be easier to order something online but it is really important to support our local businesses and business owners, without them our community wouldn’t be what it is today.”
Bassendowski says there is an early bird prize of $500 that will be drawn on Nov. 29.
“The grand prize of $2,500 drawn on Dec 17 which will have to be spent at participating businesses of the winner’s choice,” she says.
“It encourages people to shop local which in turn keeps more money in our community.”
She explains the initiative also helps residents of the community.
“They get to shop and support local while also having a chance to win cash to be spent at participating businesses,” Bassendowski notes.
“There are several dropbox locations which can be found on the passport and the posters at participating locations,” she advises.
For more information about the Passport to Christmas program, please visit the Peace River Chamber of Commerce website at www.peaceriverchamber.com.