12 Days of Christmas Raffle set

WHAT: Twelve Days of

Christmas Raffle

TICKETS: $10 each or 3 for $20

DEADLINE TO PURCHASE: Nov. 26

SALEM - The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its own Twelve Days of Christmas giveaway beginning Dec. 1 in a raffle to raise funds for beautifying and promoting Salem.

For the price of one $10 ticket or three for $20, area residents have multiple chances to win 78 different prizes with a combined value of more than $8,000, including the grand prize on Dec. 12 of a $1,000 yard makeover or $500 in cash.

Tickets are on sale now, but the last day to buy them is Nov. 26.

Ticket outlets include the Salem News, the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, the Salem Computer Center, Plummer and Jackson Attorneys and Consumers National Bank. On certain days at Giant Eagle, ticket sellers will be posted in the lobby.

"We can't say enough about our sponsors. Everything was donated," Chamber President-elect Gina Dermotta, business manager of Salem Radiologists Inc., said.

Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Audrey Null added that the list of donors includes 52 businesses, organizations and individuals giving cash and merchandise.

The Salem News will print the list of winners daily beginning Dec. 1 when 12 ham and bacon gift packages will be awarded. On Dec. 2, 11 gifts will be given and 10 gifts on Dec. 3, with the number of gifts decreasing in descending order until the 12th day when there's one gift left.

All winning tickets will be re-entered each day to be eligible for all the gifts. Gifts vary from day to day, with gift cards or certificates ranging in value from $25 to $200, gift baskets and services at businesses. On Dec. 11, two separate winners will each receive a one-week stay in a two-bedroom condo in Myrtle Beach the week of Sept. 14 to 21, 2013. On Dec. 10, three $200 Walmart gift cards will be given away.

According to Null, part of the money raised will be used to update the Chamber website and brochures for marketing purposes for businesses and individuals new to Salem. Plans also call for work on new marketing brochures for Salem resources. The Beautification Committee will use a portion of the funds to increase landscaping and work on sprucing up the marked entrances into the city of Salem. The future may include new downtown banners and possibly some red and black Quaker flags to promote Salem.

"We're hoping this will be a continuing annual event. We were overwhelmed by the generosity of our businesses," Dermotta said, with Null adding, "We appreciate the continuing support of the businesses in our community."

Dermotta recognized fellow chamber members for their involvement in the raffle, including Nancy McCoy of Huntington Insurance, Matt Bender of Butech Bliss, Jim Wenderoth of Consumers National Bank and Carl Romeo of Farmers National Ban.

A special thanks was also offered to the Salem News and Publisher Beth Volosin for printing the list of winners each day and to Lyle Printing and sales manager Janet Keene for printing the posters and tickets.

Sponsors for the gifts included: Albco Foundry; Bailey Financial Planning; BOC Water Hydraulics; Canteen Service of Steel Valley; Consumers National Bank; Dave Nestic; D.T. Moore & Company; Elizabeth Renae's Bridal Shop; Ellyson Plumbing & Heating; Family Recovery Center; Farm & Dairy/Lyle Printing; Farmers National Bank; Fresh Mark; Geoff & Kim Goll; Giant Eagle; Gina McQuillan State Farm; Gordon Bros. Water; Hack, Steer & Company; Harrington, Hoppe & Mitchell, Ltd.; Holloway Insurance, Inc.; Hunter Associates, Inc.; Huntington Bank; Huntington Insurance; Jewell & Vicki Hall; Kent State University-Salem; Knit Wits Knits; Matthew R. Yerkey DDS; Mike & Myra Giangardella; Mills Insurance Agency; Morris Financial Group; Ohio Pump Company; Plummer & Jackson Attorneys; Quaker City Castings; Rob & Deb McCulloch; Salem Area Visiting Nurse Association; Salem Community Center; Salem Community Hospital; Salem Community Theatre; Salem Computer Center; Salem Eyecare Center; Salem Fun Factory; Salem News; Salem Radiologists, Inc.; Salem Saxon Club; Salem Tire Service; Schrodel, Scullin & Bestic, CPAs; Smith Landscaping, Inc.; Stadium GM; Stark Memorial, Inc.; Sterling House; Tolson Comfort Systems; and Walmart.

Null said area residents should also mark their calendars for the annual Lightup Salem Night at 7 p.m. Nov. 30 on the Village Green in front of the Chamber building at Lincoln Avenue and State Street. On Dec. 1, the Christmas Parade will be held at 1 p.m., with Santa available after the parade at Key Bank in downtown Salem. There will also be horse-drawn carriage rides.

Mary Ann Greier can be reached at mgreier@salemnews.net