Found it!

2009-12-24

By Trey Alverson

Find it in Fayette sweepstakes winners Pam Larson (second to left), Kati Jakway (third to right and Kim Smith (far right).

In Fayette County, it pays off to shop locally -- sometimes literally -- just ask Pam Larson, Kati Jakway and Kim Smith. The trio of Fayette County residents recently won a total of $750 in this year’s Fayette County Chamber of Commerce “Find it in Fayette” sweepstakes.

Chamber president Virgina Gibbs and Fayette Newspapers’ publisher Scott Williamson presented runner-up contest winners Jakway and Smith with $150 prepaid debit cards Tuesday afternoon. Larson received the first place prize: a prepaid card loaded with $450. The prizes were handed out at the Fayette Newspapers’ office in Fayetteville. This paper, a longtime member of the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce, was the contest’s presenting sponsor this year.

“All the winners had to do was fill out a short entry form at any one of our participating Find it in Fayette merchants,” Gibbs explained.

“It excites me that we’re keeping money in the county and this market. Shopping locally secures jobs, encourages growth and helps generate tax revenue that benefits the entire county. The Chamber is proud of programs like this that better our community.”

Find it in Fayette has become a holiday tradition in Fayetteville, Peachtree City and Tyrone, as the Chamber utilizes contests, discounts and a Web site (www.finditinfayette.org) to encourage local holiday shoppers to spend their dollars where they will most directly benefit the local community.

The three sweepstakes winners expressed joy and disbelief with their good fortune.

Larson, the first place winner, recently moved to Fayette County from Kansas. She and her husband relocated to be closer to their daughter and grandkids. Since coming to town, the Larsons have become frequent visitors to Fayette’s businesses.

“We do just about all of our shopping in Fayetteville. I saw the contest and signed up for it, but I certainly didn’t expect to win,” an emotional Larson explained.

“This is such a blessing. We’ve really been pinched financially, so this is special for us. We’re going to get some Christmas gifts for our grandkids that we wouldn’t have been able to afford otherwise. This is wonderful. I really appreciate it.”

Smith said she would take her winning card with her to the Fayette Pavillion, where she planned to wrap up her Christmas shopping Tuesday afternoon.

“I just can’t believe I won,” Smith said.

“I’ve never won a contest or drawing or anything like that in my entire life. My friends at work joke with me about it. Our family is a big believer in shopping locally.”

The actual contest drawing took place Dec. 16. This was the second year of the Find it in Fayette sweepstakes. Gibbs said the Chamber plans to continue the tradition in the future.

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