Shopper gets $1,000 Christmas boost

By mark garber

The Gresham Outlook, Dec 5, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009

JIM CLARK / Gresham Outlook

Delores Porch accepts congratulations as the winner of the Try Local First drawing for a $1,000 shopping spree.

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A contest intended to promote shopping locally is having the desired effect in more ways than one.

On Friday, contest winner Delores Porch of Gresham was handed $1,000 more to spend this holiday season in local stores. And along the way toward awarding that cash, the Try Local First organization for East County educated thousands of people about the advantages of spending their money close to home.

Porch’s name was randomly selected on Wednesday from more than 6,000 entries in the Try Local First drawing for a $1,000 shopping spree. At a Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce gathering Friday morning, chamber board member Bess Wills of Gresham Ford presented Porch her winnings in the form of a prepaid credit card.

Porch says the extra dollars arrive at an ideal time for her – and not just because the holidays are approaching.

“I’ve had a hard time this year due to a health issue,” Porch says. “Now I will be able to buy some things that I’ve wanted, but have put off for a while.”

Porch’s shopping list includes a bicycle, a spotting scope for bird watching and possibly a new camera. On Friday, she was on her way to purchase new prescription sunglasses, and she already had made an appointment to be pampered by her Gresham cosmetologist.

Does she plan to heed the Try Local First campaign’s suggestion that she shop locally as much as possible?

“Absolutely,” Porch says.

The Try Local First group, which was initially launched by the chamber and supported by numerous community organizations, plans to carry forward next year with its message that supporting local merchants is good for the environment and the East County economy.

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