Shop in Prairie, McGregor Oct. 18-19, earn easy money for your school
By Correne Martin
Get easy money for your school, while buying Christmas presents and shopping local, this Friday and Saturday in Prairie du Chien and McGregor.
If you were planning to make a large purchase—such as a new appliance, cell phone, home decor or Packer apparel—this is the weekend to do it.
The We Buy Nearby-Shop for Schools promotion is happening once again and 15 local merchants are generously offering to donate a percentage of most sales to the school of your choice. The business community urges participating schools to spread the word and remind families to get going on those holiday purchases.
“The main thing this year is we need shoppers to tell the business salespeople which school they want their donation to benefit,” said Lou Davis, owner of The Pickett Fence and event organizer. “The businesses are not going to be asking people if they know about the promotion. It’s up to the shoppers to mention it.”
Thirteen area schools were invited to participate and eight of them signed on for the opportunity, Davis said. They include Prairie du Chien Public, Seneca, North Crawford, Wauzeka-Steuben, River Ridge, St. Mary’s-Bloomington, the Maroon and Gold Athletic Club in Fennimore and Central in Elkader, Iowa.
“It’s free money for them. All [the schools] need to do is promote it,” Davis stated.
Here are the cooperating businesses and the percentage they’ve chosen to donate:
Prairie du Chien
Broken Ladder—20 percent storewide
The Pickett Fence—10 percent storewide
The Local Oven—10 percent storewide
Something for Everyone—10 percent storewide
Front Porch Quilts—10 percent storewide
Shihata Orchards—5 percent storewide
JC Party Store—5 percent storewide
Panka Shoe Store—5 percent storewide
True Value—5 percent on purchases up to $500
Rockweiler Appliances—5 percent on purchases up to $500
Sports World—10 percent, excludes shoes
The Planted Tree—10 percent on all metal items
Radio Shack—2 percent, including cell phones
McGregor
Paper Moon—10 percent storewide
By the Spoonful—10 percent storewide
As for these businesses, they believe this is their chance to help local schools. Davis said organizers have put at least 40 hours of time into coordinating this.
She added, “If people are getting their Christmas shopping started, we encourage them to plan to buy those gifts locally on these particular days.”