Several years ago, the Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter staged an annual retail promotion that ended the Saturday before Christmas with drawings for $1,000 in cash. With the help of several businesses — See Page A10 for participating sponsors — we decided to revive the popular event.

The reason for the promotion comes to mind as we move toward the drawings at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, in downtown Ellsworth.

No purchase is necessary to receive a ticket for the drawings; however, shoppers will collect more tickets — and thus improve their chances of winning — if they shop at participating local businesses. Our hope is the offer of a possible reward days before Christmas will encourage everyone to support their hometown retailers this holiday season.

There are many reasons to do so.

Hometown businesses pay taxes in Ellsworth County; they contribute to your children’s activities; they provide jobs ... the list goes on.

You’re helping not just these businesses when you walk through their doors; you’re helping yourself and your entire community.

Isn’t that what small towns are all about?