Yumans invited to spend ‘$20 on the 20th’
Yumans will have a chance to support local small businesses during the 10th Annual $20 on the 20th Shop Yuma campaign, which encourages residents to spend $20 at a local business on Sept. 20.
New this year is the Shop Yuma Bingo Card, which will be published in a special section full of deals in the Yuma Sun on Wednesday, Sept. 19. Players are encouraged to visit the businesses on the Bingo Card between Sept. 19-29 and get their cards stamped. Cards with five stamps in a line will be eligible to win prizes. Completely blacked out cards will be entered into a drawing for $250 cash sponsored by the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce. The drawing will be held at the Community Business Expo on Saturday, Sept. 29, at the Yuma Civic Center.
The $20 on the 20th campaign “first started right after the recession as a way to stimulate shopping and it evolved into a Shop Local campaign,” Yuma Sun Publisher Lisa Reilly said.
After the recession, the campaign was kept going as a way to encourage shopping at local businesses. “If we don’t support them, they’ll be gone,” she added, noting that small businesses today have to compete with online giants such as Amazon.
Spending $20 with a local merchant “makes a whole difference,” Reilly said, pointing out the multiplier effect. It is generally believed that shopping locally keeps $68 of every $100 in Yuma.
The minimum wage increase has affected these small businesses and summers are especially tough on them, noted Yuma Sun Advertising Sales Manager Tim Chaulk. The campaign helps them get through the rest of the summer until the fall when the economy picks up.
Chamber Director John Courtis said partnering with the Yuma Sun on a Shop Yuma campaign is easy. “You don’t have to spend a lot of money,” he said. Still, spending $20 supports “your neighbors, the people who go to church with, who own a business, the mom-and-pops who are the backbone of our community.”
The campaign encourages people to shop in Yuma as a way to support a small business owner’s dream and local jobs. It allows Yumans to “put your money where your heart is and where your family lives.” It also allows businesses to donate more to community nonprofits, and the tax revenues pay for roads, schools
and even local events.
“Think Yuma first. Make sure the dollar stays here first,” Alex Espinoza, Yuma Sun advertising and event manager, said.
The Shop Yuma Bingo Card is another way to encourage people to go to the actual participating businesses. The cards have special deals, some for $20 and good for the rest of September.
Participants can turn in their Bingo Card at the Yuma Sun, 2055 S. Arizona Ave. or take it to the Yuma Sun booth at the expo. Participants may also take a photo of the card and email it to marketing@yumasun.com.
Participants may also get their cards stamped at the expo. And everyone is invited to stop by the Yuma Sun booth for a special treat.
For more information, call the Yuma Sun at 928539-6800.