A simple way to support a local charity is once again just a matter of voting for your preferred organization this holiday season.
The annual Spirit of Christmas initiative, sponsored by the 100 Mile House Free Press and its advertisers, invites customers to vote for their charity of choice at participating businesses until Dec. 20.
Then up to $1,000 or more will go to the charity that receives the most votes. That money is being donated through 10 per cent of the advertising dollars spent on the Spirit of Christmas promotion by the participating businesses over four weeks.
Folks will even have a chance to win – with four weekly draw prizes of $100 in Chamber Bucks and then the grand prize of $500, Chamber Bucks – just for voting for their favourite local charities.
This year's charities include:
• 100 Mile House & District Women's Centre Society
• 100 Mile District Hospice & Palliative Care Society
• 100 Mile House Elementary School PAC Hot Lunch Program
• 100 Mile District General Hospital Auxiliary
• 100 Mile Red Cross
• Loaves & Fishes Outreach
• 100 Mile House Food Bank Society
• CMHA-South Cariboo Soupe de Tour Program
• Youth Zone
• CFEC Touch of Christmas Program
Visit any or each of this year's 21 participating businesses on board, and you will find a list of charities to vote for.
There is no limit to how many times you enter as long as it is no more than once a day at each business.
So area residents can support their favourite charities by voting as they shop at the participating businesses.
The list of participating businesses includes:
• Meridian RV
• Donex
• Pharmasave
• Performance All Terrain and Rentals
• NAPA Auto Parts
• 100 Mile Feed & Ranch
• Cariboo Consignments
• Hops & Vines U Brew
• Log House
• Lone Butte Sporting Goods
• Chartreuse Moose
• Century Hardware
• Cariboo Roadhouse
• Higher Grounds Natural Foods
• 108 Mile Supermarket
• Didi's Boutique
• Garth's Electric
• Exquisite Florals & Gifts
• Whimsey Gifts
• Sharon's Jewellery
• Horse Lake Garden Centre
• 100 Mile House Free Press.
Each week during the promotion, a draw will be made from the entries and the person who cast that vote will receive $100 in Chamber Bucks.
Then, at the end of the promotion, a grand prize draw for $500 worth of Chamber Bucks will be randomly selected from all of the entries.
100 Mile House Free Press advertising consultant Martina Dopf says this year the initiative will support "people first" in selecting these local charities.
While no purchase is necessary to cast a ballot, she notes shopping locally is important aspect of visiting these businesses, while casting a vote.
"Most folks in 100 Mile House have, in one way or another, benefited from the generosity and donations of our local businesses to organizations over the course of the year.
"Christmas is a great time to give back and show our support by shopping locally, and at the same time, we can vote for our local charity of choice."