Mandan–Sell-Out Reached on Bonus Bucks, First Round of Prize Winners Announced in Mandan’s Holiday Celebration

December 1, 2009, Mandan, N.D. — The Mandan Progress Organization today sold out on its allocation of $3,000 in bonus Mandan Bucks provided as an incentive to anyone buying the gift certificates during the holidays.

Beginning Saturday, Nov. 21, the Mandan Progress Organization provided an extra $20 in Mandan Bucks for the purchase of $100 in Mandan Bucks. The offer was limited to the first 150 total purchases with no more than five purchases allowed per customer.

With the bonus allocations included, $18,000 in Mandan Bucks is now in the hands of area residents and visitors, poised for the purchase of Mandan goods.

MPO Executive Director Del Wetsch is thrilled with the results. “When people shop in our community,” he says, “their patronage provides supports for hometown jobs, property tax relief and charitable contributions from those businesses. Mandan offers many unique shopping opportunities that we hope people will take advantage of this holiday season.”

The Mandan Progress Organization is giving away another $2,300 in Mandan Bucks before Christmas. Names of some initial prize winners have been drawn.

Kathi Jenson of Mandan will receive $500 in Mandan Bucks from the Santa Shop Hop held Nov. 28. Her name was drawn from among 118 Shop Hop passports turned in by people who had visited five or more participating stores on Saturday.

Willis Koenig of Mandan is the winner of $250 in Mandan Bucks for the first Shop Hop ‘Til You Drop Week of Nov. 21 to Nov. 27. His name was drawn from among 51 Shop Hop passports turned in by those who visited 10 or more stores that week.

Additional Shop Hop ‘Til You Drop Weeks with two more chances to win $250 in Mandan Bucks are being held this week through Dec. 4 and from Dec. 5 to Dec. 11. To be eligible, visit any 10 of 35 participating merchants located downtown, on Memorial Highway and throughout the community. Each participating business is offering a special discount. Businesses also are decorating their storefronts and customers this week are asked to vote for the best. The People’s Choice winner will receive $100 in Mandan Bucks.

Winners of $50 in Mandan Bucks from drawings held for the dates of Nov. 21 to Nov. 30 are Marlene Bender, registered at LaVon’s Hallmark; Karen Baumgartner, registered at Hirsch Florist; Brandon McMillen, registered at Dan’s Supermarket; Stella Westmeyer, registered at LaVon’s Hallmark; Char Butler, registered at Dakota Farms Restaurant; Malia Hodges, registered at LaVon’s Hallmark; Joe Gross, registered at Dan’s Supermarket; Ken Clouston, registered at Dan’s Supermarket; and Rose Beehler, registered at Central Market; all of Mandan; and Bob Gordon, Bismarck, registered at Dairy Queen. More $50 winners will be drawn thru Dec. 11, one for each day. Shoppers may register at any of 50 participating businesses.

Lists of registration sites for the daily Mandan Bucks giveaways and merchants participating in the Holiday Shop Hops along with their sales are available at www.mandanprogress.org or at the office of the Mandan Progress Organization, 411 W Main Street, phone 751-2983. Brochures highlighting holiday activities are also available at stores throughout the community.

Mandan Bucks are gift certificates redeemable at most Mandan businesses for products or services. The gift certificates continue to be available (without the bonus) at the Mandan Progress Organization, Morton Mandan Public Library, or City Hall. For more information, call 751-2983 or visit www.mandanprogress.org.