The Estevan Mercury is excited to announce the winner in its Win Your Christmas Wish List promotion.
Elaine Bachorcik's name was drawn from among the hundreds of entries. She received gift cards to six participating businesses found on her list.
Win Your Christmas Wish List occurred in conjunction with the Mercury’s Christmas Catalogue. People found items they wanted in the catalogue and submitted a form that could be found on the Mercury’s website or in the paper.
There was a $1,000 limit for the items on a wish list.
“The whole point of these promotions is to showcase shopping locally, getting what you need in Estevan,” said Deanna Tarnes, the publisher and sales manager of the Mercury.
People could enter through the paper and online, and for each wish list received, the Mercury made a donation to the Community Hamper Association’s Angel Tree and the Estevan Kinettes Club’s PJ Project. Each organization received $500.
One change that occurred this year is the Mercury didn’t have drop boxes at the participating businesses.
“We didn’t want to have any extra work for the retailers, but we wanted to still encourage people to shop locally, and we like to give away prizes,” said Tarnes.
Bachorcik was thrilled when she found out she was the winner.
“It’s my favourite part of the job is getting to tell people they won. It’s nice to be able to do that for people. She was over the moon,” said Tarnes.
Tarnes is thankful for everyone who took the time to reflect on what they want to buy locally, for submitting a ballot, and for reading the Mercury, either in print or online.
The Mercury also launched its inaugural Twinkle Tour Scavenger Hunt in partnership with Tourism Estevan, which encourages people to drive around town and look at all of the great Christmas light displays.
Residents are asked to find the decorations, fill out a form that has appeared in the paper each week since Dec. 9 and submit it.
Tarnes will randomly select one person in the new year to win $100.
A few entry forms have already been submitted. Tarnes believes it’s a great way to create new memories while finding something safe to do.
“The response has been great. I think people are welcoming new ideas, and people have time to do things like this.”
