Jingle Bell campaigns in full swing

This is the time of year when everyone is hunting for that perfect gift. Some smaller communities have found a unique way to keep their shoppers away from big Tulsa malls. <br><br>They're offering

Sunday, November 26th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

This is the time of year when everyone is hunting for that perfect gift. Some smaller communities have found a unique way to keep their shoppers away from big Tulsa malls.

They're offering big money incentives to shop at home. As KOTVâ€™s Donn Robertson reports, they hope cash prizes increase sales all year long.

The holiday sounds ring out, its music to businesses ears. A Sapulpa merchant LeAnne Kreps, "the sales are booming right now." Sales weren't booming in Sapulpa a couple years ago, until city leaders started the Jingle Bells Sweepstakes. "We are giving away ten thousand dollars in Sapulpa."

Every $10 you buy in Sapulpa, you get a ticket and a chance to win $10,000. "Who doesn't want to win 10-thousand dollars in cash."

Thousands of people showed up to win that cash last year as our Lori Fullbright called the winning numbers.

The Jingle Bell Sweepstakes is such a success, revenue from Sapulpa's city tax has increased 21 percent last year. Business owners say much of it is repeat business. Kreps says "when they came down here to shop, they get to thinking a, we will get our tickets, then they come down and shop and realize we have so much to offer."

On the flip side, Owasso leaders realized they don't need the extra boost during the holiday seasons, especially with booming new businesses. Owasso Chamber of Commerce president, Gary Akin says "we are promoting something at a time of the year that was already extremely busy. Owasso put an end to it's jingle bells program this year. The chamber of commerce is looking at starting a new program, at a slower time of the year, something like a Christmas in July."

Owasso business owner, Danny Ewing "I think in the summer time it would be a good time, you do have a lack of sales or slow down in the economy." No matter the time of the year, or the promotion, it all comes down to business owners wanting to hear three important words. "We'll be back."

Several communities, including Broken Arrow, Muskogee and Eufaula, have similar promotions.

This year's drawing in Sapulpa is on December 16th.