Shop for holidays now

Dear editor:

What if Garland County residents purchased our Christmas holiday gifts now? Actually, more importantly, what if we purchase those gifts from our own locally owned and operated businesses, our merchants, restaurants, craftsmen, etc.?

Many of us already routinely buy goods and services online and by phone. Newspaper, radio and TV ads virtually fill our heads with “visions of sugarplums” from America’s consumer smorgasbord. Is there a more meaningful time to make our purchases? Shop from home, yes, but please shop (if fortunate enough to keep your own bills paid during this time of major layoffs).

Wouldn’t we suffer extreme loss if our local businesses fail to recover? Our small businesses represent the unique, charming, quirky, warm personality that compose the rich symphony of community. Jobs supporting families, good health, a thriving economy and civic engagement all spring from the fountain of local business.

As the Christmas season is a time for giving to those we love, it is equally a time for offering help to those less fortunate. We see poverty challenging the health of families throughout Garland County even during the best of times. Clearly additional large numbers of children and families now need our support. In this time of health and economic challenge, many are already stepping up to help locally. Thank heaven for all our service providers, front-line workers, volunteers. But so much more help is needed.

So many of us can do more. We can start by significant Christmas shopping now — shopping locally and mainly from our homes. Please raise a glass and join this toast, “I’ll shop to that.”

Is there a better “thank you” we can give to those individuals who support and make up our own local economy? Christmas purchases represent up to one-third of many businesses annual sales. We can make a big difference — simply by “paying it forward” now. Jerry Rephan Hot Springs