In the runup to Valentine's Day, local businesses will share the love with the "Lovin' Local Giveaway," hosted by the Callaway Chamber of Commerce.
Each business day during the first two weeks of February, the chamber will partner with local businesses and organizations for a giveaway on Facebook.
"The goal is to encourage the community to shop small businesses throughout the entire year and additionally to highlight why we love Callaway County businesses," said Justis Smith, the chamber's marketing and special events coordinator. "This year, it's much more important to make sure you're giving attention to those businesses in our community and not just for the holidays."
Members of the public will have the chance to win prizes such as art from Remade for a Purpose, a gift basket from Crane's Country Store and gift cards to The Sunroom, Artichoke Annie's and multiple local restaurants.
To participate, folks should visit the chamber's Facebook page. There, they can like, share and comment on a giveaway post. The chamber will then enter the names of each participant into a drawing. Winners will be announced on Facebook Live.
The first giveaway post will go up next Monday.
There will be 14 giveaways, but prizes might include multiple items from multiple businesses, depending on how many register with the chamber to participate. As of this Monday, around 24 had registered.
Chamber members interested in participating may reach out to Smith at [email protected] or 573-642-3055. To participate, the business must donate an item or items worth at least $25. Participants will be mentioned on the chamber's Facebook page, featured in its weekly newsletter and thanked in a public post after the campaign's conclusion.
This is the chamber's second Lovin' Local Giveaway - the previous one took place in February 2020 and was the chamber's first-ever online giveaway campaign. At the time, Smith said the chamber would be "looking to make it even bigger if we see that support from people."
"Last year, we had a little over 4,000 people reached per day - it provides businesses with a bit of extra coverage in community," she said Monday.
This giveaway is just the beginning of the chamber's efforts to promote local businesses in February, Smith added.
"Today, we decided to take it a step further - we're actually going to be doing 'Loving Our Community,'" she said. "We're planning several different promotions for small businesses and other community organizations, highlight them and share love for community.
Details of these future promotions are still coming together. Smith mentioned a partnership with Noble Health and Callaway Community Hospital to bring carnations to the residents of Fulton's nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Watch the Callaway Chamber of Commerce Facebook page for details on future promotions.