Shop Local and Love Where You Live

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A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to speak to the Miller Elementary students about shopping local. I decided not to do a PowerPoint presentation or a long drawn out speech. I am better when I can throw a few jokes in and make it fun so I had a role-playing activity that not only involved a few of my friends who are affected by shopping local, but also the students.

At the end of the role playing, I challenged the students to draw what shopping local meant to them. I told them it could be anything from their favorite store, place to eat, or something they learned. I only gave them one day to complete and I was nervous that might not be enough time. When I went back to the school the next day, I was overwhelmed with joy on the number of drawings. We had so many Miller businesses in those drawings. A few off the top of my head included; The Clothes Garden, Rexall Drug, The Main Street Lunchbox, Kessler’s, the Dollar Store, Dairy Queen, The Take Out, South Dakota Arms, and so many more. You can find a lot of these drawings around town.

I had my brother-in-law from Sioux Falls be my official judge for the contest. His favorite and one of mine also was one by Isabelle Poindexter who is in the 5th grade. Isabelle drew a picture of Heartstrings, Lunchbox, Rexall, The Clothes Garden, and Kessler’s and above the stores was a giant heart and it said, “Love Where You Live Shop Local.” She nailed it. If we don’t support the businesses where we live, how do we love where we live? I love living in Miller, and I want my kids to be able to come back someday and have the same unique spots that we have today but if we don’t support them now, they will be gone.

Now, my challenge to all adults in Hand County… what if we all spent 10% more in Hand County this month? What would happen? Sales tax increase. Keep businesses open. Keep local jobs. More money for our non-profits.  Hand County would THRIVE! And 10% doesn’t sound like a lot but if EVERYONE does it, it will make a huge difference!

More money spent in Hand County means more reasons to Love Where You Live! I am proud of the Miller Elementary Students and their support for local! And I can’t wait to see the affects of everyone spending 10% more in Hand County!


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