Cochrane Strong, a campaign that promoted shopping at local businesses during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, has returned for a holiday edition after more restrictions on retailers came down from the Province earlier this month.
“We are just encouraging people to shop local,” said Kelly Reid, pastor with Tapestry Church in Cochrane. “At the very least, it shows the restaurants and businesses in town that someone is sticking up for them and showing them that they care.”
The campaign involves posting a selfie in front of local establishments in the Cochrane Strong Facebook Group, which now garners more than 380 members. For the holiday edition, Reid said each unique selfie submission enters the shopper into a draw that will be held Jan. 1, 2021, with a chance to win $50 worth of local gift cards.
Reid said there are also three stretch goals that will expand the grand prize if more people participate. At 25 posted selfies, an additional $50 will be added, and at 40 selfies posted, one winner can add $25 to a local retailer of their choice in addition to the grand prize. If 50 selfies are posted, Reid said an additional draw of $50 in gift cards will be done on New Years Day.
According to Reid, the Christmas edition is off to a bit of a slower start than the spring version of Cochrane Strong.
“We are still only at a handful of selfies – less than 10 – and some of them are mine,” Reid said with a laugh. “I won’t be participating in the raffle. We are taking it one day at a time.”
Reid said when the most recent government restrictions were enacted Dec. 13, it was important to him to continue letting local businesses know they were in his prayers, which also sprouted the idea to bring the campaign back.
“I have a lot of good friends who are business owners,” he said. “When restrictions came down, I sent texts to these people to let them know I was praying for them. As I thought about it more, it seemed like a great time to bring [Cochrane Strong] back as a Christmas edition.”
According to Reid, the main difference from the last campaign is there isn’t a list of participating businesses. This time, Reid said it is open to all local businesses.
“I think we have created some trust in the community the first time around,” he said. “We just want people to show Cochrane pride and shop locally. It doesn’t matter where it is this time, as long as it’s in Cochrane.”
The first campaign drew enough of an audience, according to Reid, that people in Canmore started their own version, titled Bow Valley Strong.
“I have a friend in Canmore who is a pastor,” he said. “It inspired him and his church to step up, which led to the creation of Bow Valley Strong. I thought that was kind of a cool testimony to show that this is inspiring others.”
Reid said based on how the next few weeks go, he may bring it back in the new year, as well.
Jordan Stricker, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @Jay_Strickz
