The Winkler and District Chamber of Commerce’s Local Holiday Bingo game is back.
The chamber launched the campaign on its social media pages last week, encouraging shoppers to go for a blackout in order to be entered into a draw to win $500 cash provided by sponsor Community Future Heartlands.
“We took a little bit of a break and tried some other things, but we thought we would revive it this year because people have had so much fun with it in the past,” said chamber executive director Tanya Chateauneuf. “We want to get people out into the community thanking local service people and spending some money locally.
“All you need to do is, as an individual or with a group of people, go around and check off all of the items on the bingo card.”
The card includes 25 different tasks that all need to be completed in order to win.
Some of them require a proof of purchase (“Use a local car wash” or “Shop local for groceries”) while others work more on the honour system.
“There’s no rules around what a generous tip is,” Chateauneuf said in example, pointing to the “Give a generous tip” box.
Likewise, boxes asking you to thank a local business person or service provider trust that people who cross them off actually did just that.
“This is one of those things where there’s not tons of rules around it. We’re just hoping that people do it fairly … we trust that people will be honest,” Chateauneuf said. “The most important thing is to have fun with it. “
Chateauneuf hopes the game will get people out into the community exploring all the shopping options available.
“This is one of the ways that we can give back to our business community, encouraging people to try to stay local as much as possible this holiday shopping season,” she said. “I think Winkler is a really unique community and that we are constantly growing and there are businesses opening all the time, so all of our needs can be met right here in our community.
“So I would really hope that people take the time to just really discover what we have here and buy your gifts in our community this year.”
Erin Plett of Other Brother Roasters is eager to see shoppers stop by as they work to check off their bingo sheet tasks.
“I think it’s a really fun way to get to know your community at Christmastime,” she said. “It’s a nice way to just kind of reacquaint yourself with businesses around here … you’re out and about and you’re going to be purchasing a gift or maybe you’re just browsing and looking at Christmas lights, picking up a drink.”
The holiday season is an important time of year for retailers, Plett said, noting her shop tries to ensure they’re offering unique gift options for people every year.
“We always want to feel that we have something helpful to give to the community, that they can come in and find something for loved ones, or even just last-minute teacher gifts,” she said. “We hope people come in and take a look at what we have, because we might surprise you.”
You can pick up a bingo sheet at Other Brother Roasters, Pembina Valley Physiotherapy, or the Winkler Co-op grocery store. You can also print off a sheet at home by going to winklerchamber.com.
The deadline to submit your finished bingo card is Dec. 18. The winner will be announced on Dec. 22.
