The Demopolis Area Business Council kicked off its annual Shop Local Campaign this week, which will include weekly giveaways and grand prize giveaways at the end of the campaign.

The contest requires shoppers to send the DABC receipts from local businesses to be entered for the giveaways. A minimum of a $25 sale is required for entry.

Jay Reynolds, the secretary of the DABC, said last year was a big success, and they want to build on that and have a bigger year this year. He said a total of $87,000 in receipts was entered last year.

“We had 633 entries in just under four weeks,” Reynolds said. “Our average ticket price was $183. We saw the bulk of it go to small businesses, which is the main point of the campaign.

“We want people to think about shopping with local businesses instead of going out of town or online.”

Each week, the DABC will give away a $100 gift card from a local business.

The drawings will be held each Friday morning beginning this week. The deadline to enter for the grand prize giveaways is Thursday, Dec. 18, at midnight.

The grand prize drawings will be held Friday, Dec. 19. An iPad and a Jawbone Jambox will be given away, along with more gift certificates during the grand prize drawing.

There is no limit on the number of entries, and winning a weekly drawing does not exclude someone from the grand prize drawing.

Last year, Leslie Gibbs won the iPad and Justin Averette won the Jawbone.

“We’ve got more prizes this year than we did last year, so I’m hoping we have even more support than before,” Reynolds added.

“We’re trying to increase awareness for people to shop here locally. When you buy things here, you get more return on your dollar because the tax money goes into the schools and community.”

The Demopolis City Schools Foundation is also a partner in the campaign.

“Many local businesses support the Foundation already, and the more people shop local, the more support they receive,” Reynolds said.

Entries for the contest can be posted to the Demopolis Area Business Council’s Facebook or emailed to demopbusiness@gmail.com. Entries from DABC member businesses will be entered twice.

DABC member businesses are: Alabama AG Credit, Alabama Power, BAMA Auto, Batter Up, Bill Mackey Real Estate, Butler and Gardner, Collins Communications, Colony Office Products, Culpepper Electric, Demopolis City Schools, Design Refrigeration, Dixie Country, F&F Drugs, Farmhouse, FitzGerald Clinic, Fleming Photography, Foster Farms, Genesis Rehab, Gibson Body Shop, Grantell Broadcasting, Hair Razors, Holiday Cleanres, Hudgens Insurance, Jennings Service Company, Jones Construction, Keen Chiropractic Clinic, Larry Walters Furniture, Linden Lumber, Marengo Insurance, Marengo Propane, Mason & Gardner CPA, Mustard Seed, Parr’s, Perfect Touch, Personal Touch, Radio Shack, Regions Bank, Robertson Banking Company, RockTenn, Sandy Creek Forestry, Suttles Trucking, Sweet Water State Bank, The Gold Mine, The Lube Center, Trustmark Bank, Tutt Land Company, Wallace Wood, Webb Lumber Company, West Alabama Watchman, Willingham Sports and Windham Motors.