Chamber Shop Roane 1st Program Donates to Operation Reach #ShopRoaneFirst It Benefits Us All

Roane County, TN – On Wednesday, December 10, the Roane County Chamber presented a $500 check to Operation R.E.A.C.H.  Founder and previous President, Bobby Collier, accepted the check from Paulette Ray, Director of Chamber Operations and Lindsey Stevens, Chamber Member Services Coordinator.

The donation was made possible by the overwhelming participation in the Chamber’s annual Shop Roane First ‘Shopping Spree Contest.’  Chamber retailers participate in the program by paying $100 to become an entry point for the contest where names drawn can win up to $500 to be spent at any of the participating businesses.  The proceeds goes towards paying the cash prizes ($1,000 total) and promotions for the contest; while remaining proceeds go toward Operation R.E.A.C.H., a local charity that not only benefits needy children at Christmas - but is a program that shops local.

“This is the 39^th year for Operation R.E.A.C.H.,” said Treasurer Bobby Collier, “we started with 20 kids and $400 and this year - 540 kids will receive $225 to shop for Christmas gifts for their families.”

The participating Shopping Spree Contest businesses were:  Acme Block & Brick, Active Family & Sports Chiropractic, AGA Insurance, Browder's Ace Hardware, Bunch Marine, Citizens First Bank, Citizens National Bank, Earl Duff Subaru, First Bank of Tennessee – Harriman, First Bank of Tennessee,- Rockwood, Foust Family Fitness, Gloria Jeans Fine Southern Provisions, Griffin Insurance, Harriman Care & Rehabilitation Center, Jerry Duncan Ford, Live & Let Live Drug Store, Pattersons Home Appliances, Renaissance Terrace, Rocky Top General Store, Sears Retail Store, Shoney’s of Harriman, Simply Sweet Bakery, United Community Bank, Wal-Mart Super Center, and Y-12 Federal Credit Union.

Contest winners will be drawn on Tuesday, December 16 during the annual Roane Alliance Christmas Open House.  For more information about the Shopping Spree and the Shop Roane First Program, call the Roane County Chamber at 865-376-5572 or visit our website at www.roanechamber.com/ShopRoane.  To learn more about Operation R.E.A.C.H. visit www.RoaneCountyReach.com.

The Chamber is a partner in The Roane Alliance – Roane County’s economic development organization. The partners who operate under the Alliance umbrella along with the Chamber include the Industrial Development Board and Visitors Bureau.  To learn more about how the Roane Alliance promotes economic development and seeks increased opportunities for all Roane County citizens, please visit www.roanealliance.org.

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