The McCloud Local First Network’s “Shop McCloud First” holiday campaign has come to a close, and two generous prize packages have been awarded as part of the first-ever Shop McCloud First Holiday Shopping Contest. The contest was part of a holiday campaign designed to promote McCloud, increase awareness of local McCloud businesses and to educate the public about the importance of buying from local, independent businesses in order to strengthen the local economy.

McCloud resident Margo Smitt has won the “Big Spender” prize package which included lift tickets and learn-to-ski packages from the Mt. Shasta Ski Park and a night stay for two at one of McCloud’s several vacation rental businesses, McCloud’s Charming Victorian Cottages. She spent close to $1,000 in McCloud, in part due to much-needed repairs performed on her car by McCloud Hometown Auto Repair. “I am so pleased that I was able to get my car fixed right here in McCloud. They picked up my car, took it to a local garage where they could work on it, and treated me and the car wonderfully.  And now I've won this contest that gave us such a nice incentive to buy from our neighbors," said Mrs. Smitt.”

Ray Booth of Cottonwood was awarded the “Shop Around” prize package for visiting the largest variety of businesses. He will enjoy 18 holes of golf at the McCloud Golf Resort, lunch for 2 at the McCloud Café, and a night’s stay for two at the historic McCloud River Mercantile Hotel.

The McCloud Local First Network took the idea of a Holiday Shopping Contest from the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE), a national organization with the mission to catalyze, strengthen and connect networks of locally owned independent businesses dedicated to building strong Local Living Economies. “The shopping contest was created to bring area residents to McCloud this holiday season, to reward those that visit McCloud businesses, and to bring the winners of the contest back to McCloud again in the future,” said Robin Singler, Shop Local First campaign coordinator. “We distributed our ‘Thank You’ postcards at McCloud businesses as a way to remind locals and visitors alike that our neighborhood businesses owe their success to them and that their support is truly needed and appreciated. The list of 100 McCloud businesses on the postcard also speaks to the level of self-determination and entrepreneurship our local residents possess.”

“We love the thank you cards we were supplied with. It is a nice gesture that also encourages local shopping. Customers were very surprised at how many local businesses are in McCloud. It made them a little more aware that there are other stores out there that they haven't been to,” said Catherine Stallings of the McCloud General Store and Building Supply.

As another incentive to shop in McCloud, free handmade reusable shopping bags were distributed through the Network’s member businesses and were a huge success. McCloud resident and seamstress Joyce Iaconis made the bags in her home using donated canvas and thread from Susie Robison of GottaHavaHat. “Being able to help with the bags made me feel like I am a part of the community, and it felt good doing something like this for McCloud,” said Joyce about her involvement in the campaign.

The McCloud Local First Network wishes to extend a final thank you to our generous sponsors who helped provide contest prizes and other support: Charming Victorian Cottages, Mt. Shasta Ski Park, McCloud Golf Course, McCloud Café, GottaHavaHat, Mountain Star Café and the McCloud River Mercantile Co.